Former World No. 7 Fernando Verdasco will retire from skilled tennis after enjoying doubles with Novak Djokovic at subsequent week’s Qatar Open, the Spaniard introduced on Friday.
The 37-year-old Djokovic will likely be in motion for the primary time since sustaining a muscle tear in his left leg which pressured him to retire throughout the Australian Open semifinals in opposition to Alexander Zverev of Germany.
“After so many unimaginable years on the ATP Tour, the time has come for my last match on the Qatar Open 2025. And what higher approach to end than enjoying doubles with my pal Novak Djokovic , a real legend of our sport and among the best athletes of all time,” wrote the 41-year-old Verdasco, sharing a video that includes the Serbian on social media.
The left-handed Verdasco received seven titles on the ATP Tour in a two-decade-long profession. His greatest end result at a Main got here in 2009 when he reached the Australian Open semifinals earlier than shedding to eventual champion and compatriot Rafael Nadal in 5 units in 5 hours 10 minutes, the longest match of his profession. He additionally helped Spain win three Davis Cup titles.
In doubles, Verdasco clinched eight titles, together with the 2013 Nitto ATP Finals with David Marrero and reached a career-high of World No. 8 within the doubles rankings.
Verdasco performed his first match in over a yr when he paired up with Turkiye’s Cem Ilkel at an ITF occasion in Doha final month.
