Fernando Verdasco, the esteemed Spanish tennis player, announced his retirement from professional tennis on February 14, 2025, concluding a distinguished 24-year career. His final match took place at the Qatar Open in Doha, where he partnered with Novak Djokovic in a doubles match. The duo faced Henry Patten and Harri Heliövaara, concluding their match with a 7-5, 6-4 loss in the quarterfinals.
Following his retirement announcement, Verdasco received heartfelt tributes from fellow tennis luminaries, including Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, and Maribel Nadal, as well as the broader tennis community.
**Novak Djokovic** expressed his admiration for Verdasco’s illustrious career, stating, “It was an honor to share your final match.”
**Rafael Nadal** conveyed his appreciation through a heartfelt message, noting, “It has been a pleasure to have shared many moments with you on the court, as colleagues, as rivals… And to have experienced so many things thanks to tennis.”
**Maribel Nadal**, Rafael’s sister, shared a nostalgic moment by reposting a picture of Rafael and Fernando from their Davis Cup victory, accompanied by the caption, “What a great time!”
The broader tennis community also paid tribute to Verdasco’s contributions to the sport. Denis Shapovalov shared an Instagram story expressing his best wishes, writing, “Wishing you the best @ferverdasco!”
Reflecting on his career, Verdasco expressed gratitude for the experiences and memories he created, stating, “The biggest [memory] is the Davis Cup for my country, which I won three times. Of these three, the most special one is the one in Argentina, when I won the fourth point of the finals against Acasuso, and I gave my country the victory.”
Throughout his career, Verdasco achieved significant milestones, including seven ATP singles titles, three Davis Cup victories with Spain, and a career-high singles ranking of world No. 7. He also reached the semifinals of the 2009 Australian Open, marking a pinnacle in his singles career.
As Verdasco transitions from professional play, his legacy remains a testament to his dedication and passion for tennis, leaving an indelible mark on the sport and inspiring future generations of players.
