In 2002, Ferrero missed the Australian Open due to bursitis in his right knee. He started his year at the Milan Indoor, but was upset by eventual champion Davide Sanguinetti 6–3, 6–7(0–7), 4–6 in the second round. He then represented Spain in the first round Davis Cup tie against Morocco, he went to win one against Hicham Arazi 6–3, 6–1, 6–2 and lost one to Younes El Aynaoui 6–7(2–7), 0–6, 6–3, 6–0, 3–6. He made his first quarterfinal of the year at the Open 13, but was upset by No. 99 Cédric Pioline 7–6(3–7), 4–6, 5–7. At the ABN AMRO World Tennis Tournament, he lost in his opening match against eventual champion Nicolas Escudé 7–5, 1–6, 0–6. As the defending champion at the Dubai Tennis Championships, he retired in his second-round match 1–2 down against Younes El Aynaoui with a pulled abductor. His form continued to dip with a couple of early exits: In the first round of the Pacific Life Open to Greg Rusedski, 4–6, 3–6, in the third round of the NASDAQ–100 Open to Adrian Voinea 6–7(6–8), 6–1, 2–6, and in the second round of the Estoril Open to David Nalbandian, 6–4, 4–6, 6–7(7–4).