What a fitting way to bow out after a 24-year professional career.

Fernando Verdasco is set to retire. (Image: Getty)

Spanish tennis legend Fernando Verdasco has confirmed he will bow out from the sport playing alongside Novak Djokovic. The 41-year-old is in his 24th season as a professional player, and reached a career-high ranking of world No.7 in 2009.

That was the same season he produced his best showing at a Grand Slam, reaching the semi-finals of the Australian Open before losing to eventual winner Rafael Nadal.

And the curtain will now come down on his career at the Qatar Open in Doha next week, where he has entered into the men’s doubles alongside the Serbian icon.

Verdasco announced his decision on Instagram, posting a video of himself alongside Djokovic to explain his reasoning. And he also wrote an emotional caption revealing that Djokovic had previously agreed to his special request.

“After so many incredible years on the ATP Tour, the time has come for my final tournament at the Qatar ExxonMobil Open 2025,” he said. “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

“Novak thank you so much for saying yes since the first moment I told you. I’m going to enjoy every moment and give it my all one last time.”

Referencing the fans, he added: “Thank you, everyone, for being there for me throughout my career, in the good times and in the bad times. Let’s make this week unforgettable.”

Verdasco’s career appeared in danger of petering out in late 2022 when he received a two-month ban after testing positive for the prohibited substance methylphenidate. However, authorities did show leniency, having accepted Verdasco’s argument that he had forgotten to renew his therapeutic use exemption for the medication.

The following year, he dropped out of the world’s top 500. But he has now seemingly found the perfect way to bow out by sharing a court with one of the all-time greats.

After uploading his video, Verdasco’s post received more than 25,000 likes in just over an hour. And many of his 282,000 plus followers also recated with comments congratulating him on his career.

The star was also a quarter-finalist in Wimbledon and 2013, famously losing to eventual champion Andy Murray after leading by two sets. He also became an established doubles player and that same year, triumphed at the ATP Finals with David Marrero.