Fernando Verdasco was one of those players who deserved to win more during their careers. There is no doubt that ‘Nando’ has been one of the best Spanish talents of the last 20 years, being able to put anyone in trouble on his best days as he has shown several times in the most prestigious tournaments.
Fans still remember his epic clash with his compatriot Rafael Nadal in the semifinals of the 2009 Australian Open, in what is considered to be one of the best matches in the entire history of the Happy Slam.
During his professional tour journey, Verdasco won seven titles – most recently in Bucharest in 2016 – and achieved a best ranking of No.7 in the ATP ranking in 2009 (the best season of his entire career, in which he also participated in the ATP Finals in London).
The former world number 7 had retired in 2023, without ever officially announcing it. This week – during the Doha ATP 500 – he decided to play the doubles tournament together with Serbian legend Novak Djokovic and had the opportunity to greet the fans by receiving beautiful messages from his colleagues.
Verdasco comments on his long career
During his last press conference, the 41-year-old Spaniard looked back on his long career and explained how hard it was to win Slams and Masters 1000 in that period: “The truth is that there were three players out of all logic in those years. In those days – in order to win a Major or a Masters 1000 – you had to defeat two or three great champions.
Verdasco continued: “For example – at the 2009 Australian Open – I had beaten Murray and Tsonga, who were respectively number 4 and 5 in the world. Then I had to face Rafa Nadal, who was number 1 in the world.
If I had defeated him in that epic battle I would have had to face Roger Federer in the final, who was number 2. Imagine how difficult it was to win a Grand Slam at that time. In Monte Carlo I defeated Berdych and Djokovic, but I lost to Rafa in the final.
I have to admit that I got a little discouraged at some point.”
Tennis World USA