Fernando Verdasco’s career as a professional tennis player will come to an end this week in Doha. The Spaniard announced in recent days that he will play doubles with good friend and one-time rival Novak Djokovic
“After so many incredible years on the ATP Tour, the time has come for my final tournament,” Verdasco wrote on Instagram alongside a video of himself and Djokovic on court at the Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex, “and what better way to finish than playing doubles with my friend Novak Djokovic, a true legend of our sport and one of the best athletes of all time.”
Verdasco, now 41, hasn’t competed since September of 2023, and he and Djokovic have received a wild card to the doubles main draw. They will face Alexander Bublik and Karen Khachanov in the opening round.
A former Top 10 player in both singles and doubles, Verdasco racked up 559 career singles wins, won seven singles and eight doubles titles, and helped Spain win three Davis Cup crowns. In the last year-plus, Verdasco has entered coaching, working with players including Abdullah Shelbayh and Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, and also advising Ons Jabeur.
In his final tournament as an active player, Verdasco says he will “enjoy every moment and give it my all one last time.”
