Ferrer then traveled to Indian Wells to play in the 2011 BNP Paribas Open, where he was seeded sixth. Due to his seeding, he received a bye into the second round, where he lost to big-serving Ivo Karlović. Ferrer then travelled to Miami to play in the 2011 Sony Ericsson Open, where he was seeded sixth. Due to his seeding, he received a bye into the second round, where he defeated qualifier Igor Kunitsyn for a spot in the third round. In the third round, he defeated Somdev Devvarman, and then defeated Marcel Granollers for a spot in the quarterfinals. However, in the quarterfinals, he fell to Mardy Fish, and later said it was due to indigestion.