Fernando Verdasco: No Grand Slam, no problem
Spaniard Verdasco doesn't see the lack of Major success as a blip on his career
He was ranked as high as No. 7 in the world in April 2009.
Fernando Verdasco has won seven career titles and amassed earnings of US$12.3 million (S$17.5m) since he turned professional in 2001, but one thing that is missing from his resume is a Grand Slam title.
The closest the Spaniard came to winning a Major title was in 2009, when he reached the semi-finals of the Australian Open but lost to former world No. 1 and compatriot Rafael Nadal.
Some say given his talent, the 33-year-old Verdasco should have become a Grand Slam winner like Nadal, but he has no regrets over that.
"Well, everybody wants to win a Grand Slam, but there are many talented players on the Tour who haven't won one yet and I can start giving you 15 or 20 names," said Verdasco, who played in the men's singles and doubles events for the Japan Warriors against the Indian Aces at the Coca-Cola International Premier Tennis League 2016 - Singapore (IPTL) at the Indoor Stadium yesterday.
"It's not that easy and having players like Roger Federer, who is not playing so much now, Novak Djokovic, Rafael (Nadal) and Andy Murray, the rest of the players didn't have a chance to win a Grand Slam."
"That's sport but, like I said, many talented and very good players have not won Grand Slams," added the 1.88m-tall left-hander.
"You don't have to feel like you are worth less because of that, you're supposed to know you tried your best.
"You cannot always reach everything you want, but I always try and I will keep trying you know, even though I'm 33 right now."
Grand Slam winner or not, the affable and handsome Spaniard was certainly a crowd favourite at the Indoor Stadium yesterday as he led the Japan Warriors to a 27-20 victory over the Indian Aces.
At press time yesterday, the second match between the OUE Singapore Slammers and the UAE Royals was still going on.
The last two matches of the Singapore leg of the IPTL will take place today at 5pm and 8.30pm in the Indoor Stadium.
FIXTURES
TODAY
- 5PM: JAPAN WARRIORS v UAE ROYALS
- 8.30PM: INDIAN ACES v OUE SINGAPORE SLAMMERS
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