Verdasco to partner Djokovic in his final ATP Tour event in Doha

Spaniard Fernando Verdasco will bring his standout career to a close next week at the Qatar ExxonMobil Open in Doha, where he will partner Novak Djokovic in doubles.

The 41-year-old Verdasco won seven tour-level titles and reached a career-high No. 7 in the PIF ATP Rankings. Verdasco won 559 tour-level matches and helped his home country lift three Davis Cup trophies. The lefty, who has not competed since September 2023, announced his upcoming retirement on social media.

“After so many incredible years on the ATP Tour, the time has come for my final tournament at the Qatar ExxonMobil Open,” Verdasco wrote. “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…

“I’m going to enjoy every moment and give it my all one last time. Thank you everyone that has been there for me during all my career in the good and in the bad times. Let’s make this week unforgettable.”

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Verdasco used his lefty playing style to great effect, producing tricky baseline angles with his heavy topspin forehand and sharp crosscourt backhand. Verdasco’s best major result came at the 2009 Australian Open, where he made the semi-finals before falling to countryman Rafael Nadal in a five-hour, 10-minute epic — the longest match of Verdasco’s career. That same year, Verdasco qualified for the Nitto ATP Finals in singles.

Verdasco was also an accomplished doubles player, collecting eight titles — including the 2013 Nitto ATP Finals with David Marrero — and reaching a career-high No. 8 in the PIF ATP Doubles Rankings.