Fernando Verdasco to retire from tennis after playing doubles with Novak Djokovic in Doha

Fernando Verdasco's career as a professional tennis player will come to an end this week in Doha. The Spaniard announced in recent days that he will play doubles with good friend and one-time rival Novak Djokovic

"After so many incredible years on the ATP Tour, the time has come for my final tournament," Verdasco wrote on Instagram alongside a video of himself and Djokovic on court at the Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex, "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."

Verdasco, now 41, hasn't competed since September of 2023, and he and Djokovic have received a wild card to the doubles main draw. They will face Alexander Bublik and Karen Khachanov in the opening round.

A former Top 10 player in both singles and doubles, Verdasco racked up 559 career singles wins, won seven singles and eight doubles titles, and helped Spain win three Davis Cup crowns. In the last year-plus, Verdasco has entered coaching, working with players including Abdullah Shelbayh and Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, and also advising Ons Jabeur.

In his final tournament as an active player, Verdasco says he will "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," he added. "Let’s make this week unforgettable.”

Verdasco's final tournament appearance will also be Djokovic's first since his semifinal retirement at the Australian Open due to a leg injury, later confirmed as a torn muscle in his left hamstrong. The former world No. 1 told Montenegrin newspaper *Vijesti* in recent weeks that the injury, which also forced him out of Serbia's Davis Cup tie with Denmark played two weeks ago, is "is almost 100% healed."

Two-time Doha champion Djokovic is chasing his 100th career title in Qatar, and has been drawn in the same half as No. 1 seed Carlos Alcaraz. Seeded third, Djokovic opens against Matteo Berrettini in the stacked draw, which also sees Alcaraz face former US Open champion Marin Cilic, and No. 4 seed Daniil Medvedev take on 2024 champion Khchanov in the first round.

Read more: Djokovic takes aim at "injury experts" as he shares photo of an MRI of his left hamstring

"I hope that the 100th trophy can come already in Doha, I've been chasing it for a long time ... it will come when it's supposed to come," he reportedly said.