AO Flashback: Nadal and Verdasco’s Epic 2009 Encounter

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AO Flashback: Nadal and Verdasco’s Epic 2009 Encounter

It is one of the greatest Australian Open matches we’ve ever seen. And it became part of one of the most impressive title runs that Rafael Nadal has ever made. Six years on, as we prepare for another Nadal-Verdasco battle in Melbourne, we look back at this magical slice of “Armada” history, remembering just how epic this encounter between Fernando Verdasco and Rafael Nadal was.

First thought: Man was Verdasco a beast back then.

Second thought: As good as he was, Nadal was even better.

And, not unemotional. “Today was one of these matches you gonna remember long time, no?” Nadal said. “Well, the emotion was big, because in the last game with the Love-40 I start to cry. Was too much tension, no?”

Verdasco, who had defeated Andy Murray and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, was playing the tennis of his life at Melbourne in 2009. But even his most intense, impressive shotmaking was not enough to get by Nadal in his prime.

“Fernando was playing I think his best level in his career,” Nadal said. “He continues like this, he's gonna have chances for be in any number of the ranking, no?”

Nadal would end up victorious in the five-hour and 14-minute encounter, and Verdasco would never again get so close to a major final. It’s a moment that Nadal remembers fondly as the match that springboarded him to his first and only Australian Open title. As he prepares to play Verdasco in what could prove to be a very tricky first-rounder, Nadal reflected on the win.

“Obviously that match gave me the chance to win the only Australian Open that I have won,” Nadal said. “It was an unforgettable memory for me. I think the level of tennis was fantastic. There were some spectacular points. Many people always ask me about that match. It was a tough one, but a great experience.”

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