By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Wednesday February 19, 2025
Former World No.7 and seven-time ATP title winner Fernando Verdasco called time on his epic career, the Spaniard playing his last match in Doha as he teamed with Novak Djokovic on the doubles court.
Verdasco and Djokovic were defeated in the quarterfinals by Henry Patten and Harri Hellovaara in the quarter-finals, 7-5, 6-4.
41-year-old Verdasco turned pro in 2001 and won 559 ATP matches, including three victories over Rafael Nadal and four against Novak Djokovic. In 2009 he played one of the most incredible Australian Open semifinals on record, falling to Nadal in five hours and 14 minutes.
“Today was one of those matches you’re going to remember a long time,” Nadal said after his win.
He was right.
Verdasco, like all other players from his generation not named Federer, Nadal, Djokovic, Murray or Wawrinka, frequently ran into roadblocks at the biggest tournaments.
“In the end, that was the hardest part for my generation. You were playing against the best three players in history at the same time and normally at the big tournaments you had to beat them all, it was incredible,” Verdasco told the ATP. “In 2009, from the start of the year until Cincinnati, I lost in the quarter-finals of all the Masters 1000s I played in. I lost to Roger, Rafa or Murray in all of them.”
Verdasco had been off tour for a while due to injuries, but decided to come back and finish his career on court.
“The emotions are very big, after being for a year and a half out of competition,” Verdasco said in a press conference in Doha this week. “I was not even thinking of making an official announcement or playing for one last time until I spoke with him [Djokovic]. Now I'm so happy to make it possible here in Doha."
During his career, Verdasco also helped Spain win three Davis Cup titles, and recorded the clinching point against Argentina’s Jose Acasuso in the 2008 finals. In addition to his Australian Open semifinal run, Verdasco made three other major quarterfinals and reached the second week at Roland-Garros six times.