World No. 28 Fernando Verdasco last star added to field in World Tennis Challenge

He has strong links to Adelaide, having previously worked with Darren Cahill, and Spanish veteran Fernando Verdasco is the latest addition to Memorial Drive’s World Tennis Challenge in January.

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Spanish veteran Fernando Verdasco is the latest addition to Memorial Drive’s World Tennis Challenge in January.

Verdasco, 35, is one of the oldest players on the ATP Tour but he continues to be a force, finishing the year at No. 28 in the world.

He will play world No. 12 Croatian Borna Coric on the second night of the event, on January 8, after world No. 4 Alexander Zverev plays Coric the night before.

Verdasco has strong links to Adelaide: he has previously enlisted the help of international coach Darren Cahill and played in the WTC back in 2016.

He said the Tuesday night match would be ideal in the week leading up to the Australian Open.

Fernando Verdasco reacts during play against Novak Djokovic on Rod Laver Arena in the opening round of last year’s the Australian Open, in Melbourne. Picture: Dean Lewins/AAP

“I needed something to do before the Australian Open and decided that was the best option,” Verdasco told The Advertiser. “It’s close to Melbourne and it’s a match on the Tuesday so I’ve got a few days in Melbourne to prepare for the tournament.

“I just thought it was the best option for me.

“We have practised with each other a few times, maybe four or five times, last year.

“He (Coric) is a great guy.

“I think it’s going to be great to play each other there and give it our best ahead of the Australian Open.”

Verdasco, a 188cm left-hander with a deadly forehand, has not put any limits on how long he stays on the circuit.

He still enjoys the constant travelling, even though it restricts his time with family in Spain or at his base in Doha, Qatar.

“I have the motivation the same as when I started,” Verdasco said. “But I have more experience.

“I have the motivation to keep in shape, keep on the road, work hard everyday and trying to stay there as long as I can.

“I think that’s the biggest key.

“After 16 years in the career I’m still in the top 30.

“But I’m looking forward to even better results in 2019 because I know can do it better; I did it better in 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012.

“In two of those years I finished top 10, in two of them top 20 and one of them top 25.

“My goal for next season is to finish better.”

Verdasco spoke fondly about his work with Cahill, who has the rare feat of coaching three players to being world No. 1s: Lleyton Hewitt, Andre Agassi and Simona Halep.

He is now having a spell from the grind of the circuit to spend time with his family and recently joined the board of the Port Adelaide Football Club, where his father John was a champion player and coach.

“He was helping me for some time with the Adidas development program,” Verdasco recalled. “It was back in 2008 and more between 2009 and 2011.

“I always had a great relationship with him.”