World No.9, Fernando Verdasco, eased his way into 2011 exchanging tricks with Brisbane Roar star Matt McKay this morning in a quick game of soccer–tennis.
Leaving his racquet out of the game, the Spaniard let his feet do the magic and even pulled off a few impressive headers.
“It was fun,” Verdasco said.
“I love soccer so it’s always good to play with a pro player and learn a little bit.”
But that wasn’t enough to take his mind off the real reason he’s here.
“Now [it] is I think time to play tennis. Time to start a new season again,” he said.
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Verdasco returns to the Brisbane International after making it as a finalist in the singles and doubles at the 2009 tournament.
He was defeated by Czech drop-shot king Radek Stepanek, 3-6 6-3 6-4, who claimed his third ATP career title.
Verdasco has won five ATP titles and has been a finalist on a further eight occasions.
He has also played a major part in winning two Davis Cups, playing the deciding match in both 2008 and 2009.
Going into the New Year, 2011, Verdasco says he’s in great form.
“I’ve been practicing very hard this pre-season,” he said.
“I’m feeling great, with a lot of confidence, and I’m looking forward to making this year the best year of my career.”
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Verdasco says the injuries that haunted him in 2010 made it a “very tough year”.
“So this year I have more time to rest and prepare,” he said.
“It’s always important when you are starting a new season – it’s always important to start as best as possible.
“And I think that the performance I did two years ago in Australia was hard thanks of the level … and the final I did here in Brisbane in singles and in doubles.
“And I think that’s one of the reasons that I decide to come again to try to get that point of confidence in my game and rhythm and try to go to the Australian Open again.”
This year Verdasco plans to make it one step further and take out the Brisbane International men’s singles title.
“I think there are like many good players in this tournament and it’s going to be very tough to even not to win, even to get to finals again.
“But you know, like I said, I’m feeling good and I just came here to try to do my best and that is going to be [to] try to win the tournament.
“What I know for sure is I will give my 100 per cent to try to win.”
Verdasco says it’s an honour to be part of the league of Spanish tennis stars making themselves known on the international circuit, including world No.1 Rafael Nadal.
“I think we got used to it now that Rafael is one of the best tennis players in history and the best Spanish player in history of tennis.
“What he did last year winning three slams is almost impossible to do, you know – really, really difficult.
“Not many players in history did that.”
Verdasco met Nadal head-on at the 2009 Australian Open, battling it out in an epic five-set semifinal match that lasted a gruelling five hours and 10 minutes.
Falling to his fellow Spaniard, 7-6(4) 4-6 6-7(2) 7-6(1) 4-6, it became one of the most memorable matches of the year and earned Verdasco his best result at a Grand Slam tournament.
“We are so lucky to have unbelievable players in Spain,” Verdasco said.
He is currently the third-highest ranked Spanish tennis player on the ATP circuit, behind world No.1 Rafael Nadal and No.7 David Ferrer.
Though it’s actually soccer that is Spain’s biggest sport, says Verdasco.
“It was my second option if not for tennis player to be a soccer player,” he said.
But right now he has his eyes firmly fixed on a new year on the court.
Tickets are still available for Brisbane International 2011 from Ticketek.