Ferrer started his season in an exhibition at the Mubadala World Tennis Championships. Ferrer easily defeated Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and then lost to Rafael Nadal in a close three-setter. Ferrer then played Stan Wawrinka for the third place match. Ferrer lost the first set, but came back to win. Ferrer then arrived at the Qatar Open as the fourth seed and defending champion. Ferrer lost in the first round to Illya Marchenko, despite winning the first set. Ferrer then competed at Auckland as the top seed. Ferrer made it through to the semifinals after defeating qualifier Matthew Barton and Lukáš Rosol, but lost to Jack Sock despite winning the first set. Ferrer then played in the first Grand Slam of the year at the Australian Open. Ferrer defeated qualifier Peter Gojowczyk in the first round. In the second round, Ferrer defeated Lleyton Hewitt, who was playing his last career singles match. Ferrer then defeated 31st seed Steve Johnson and 10th seed John Isner. Ferrer reached the quarterfinals without having lost a set. In the quarterfinals, Ferrer lost to second seed and eventual finalist Andy Murray in four sets. Ferrer then arrived as second seed at the Argentina Open. Ferrer defeated wildcard Renzo Olivo in straight sets. Ferrer then defeated eighth seed Pablo Cuevas in three sets, before losing to Nicolás Almagro in straight sets in the semifinals. Ferrer then arrived at the Rio Open as the second seed. Ferrer defeated wildcard Nicolás Jarry in straight sets. Ferrer then came from a set down to defeat Albert Ramos-Viñolas. Ferrer's tournament came to an end in the quarterfinals when he lost to fifth seed Dominic Thiem in straight sets. Ferrer fell in the second round of the Mexican Open to Alexandr Dolgopolov and the second round of the Miami Open to Lucas Pouille to end his hard-court season.