"An honour to share your final match": Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal praise retiring Fernando Verdasco

Legendary tennis players Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic have praised Spain’s Fernando Verdasco after he retired from the sport. The 41-year-old played his last professional game in the Qatar Open in the doubles category.

He was partnering with Djokovic as the pair lost in the quarterfinal to the pair of Henry Patten and Harri Heliovaara in straight sets with a score of 7-5, 6-4. After the match, both Djokovic and Nadal praised Verdasco in posts on the social media platform.

“Felicidades guapo on an incredible career. Great competitor, great champion, great ambassador. An honour to share your final match, amigo. Take a bow,” wrote Djokovic in a post on the social media platform Instagram. “We experienced great battles on the track and very beautiful moments with Spain at the Davis Cup! Congratulations on your great career, Fernando Verdasco! I hope you can continue to enjoy your family and your new challenges even more. See you all soon!,” wrote Nadal in an Instagram post.

Verdasco finished his career with seven titles. He reached his career-best ranking in 2009 when he became the world's number seven. Despite his impressive performances on the court, Verdasco failed to create the kind of impact many believed he would at major events. His best appearance in a Grand Slam came in 2009 when he lost the semifinal of the Australian Open to fellow Spaniard Nadal in a five-set thriller with a score of 6-7, 6-4, 7-6, 6-7, 6-4.

One of the biggest wins of Verdasco’s career was the ATP Finals win, where he lifted the doubles title in 2013 as he and his partner David Marrero defeated the famous pair of Bryan brothers in the final with a score of 7-5, 6-7, 10-7. His last ATP title came in Bucharest, where he defeated France’s Lucas Pouille in the final in straight sets with a score of 6-3, 6-2.