Fernando Verdasco commits to play 2012 Heineken Open – Tennis News
Former world number seven, Fernando Verdasco of Spain has announced to take of the coming year from the Heineken Open in Auckland, New Zealand. The other Spaniard, sixth ranked David Ferrer, will also be among the top guns in the
field at the Heineken Open, starting from 9th January 2012.
The outdoor hard-court event is a part of the ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals) World Tour 250 swing, with prize money of $355,500. Verdasco will be taking part in the Heineken Open for the first time and his presence in
the field is expected to lift up the level of competition.
Richard Palmer, the tournament director for Heineken Open, was delighted on Verdasco’s commitment to be a part of the event next year and he mentioned that the Spaniard was the one he had always eyed on.
“The Spaniards seem to like coming to Auckland, and it is great to finally get Fernando to play in the Heineken Open. Not only is he a fresh face but he is also a very accomplished player as his record testifies. Over the years,
many people have asked if it was possible to get him here,” Palmer told the local press reporters.
The Spaniard rose to the world number seven in 2009, with a number of emphatic victories to break into the Top-10. Verdasco clinched the Davis Cup title for the second consecutive time in doubles and then went on to seize his third
ATP championship title to enter the winners circle. He was the finalist in two more tournaments and also made it to the circuit grand finale, the ATP World Tour Finals in London.
The 27-year-old won further two titles in the next year and went past quarter-final rounds on 10 different occasions, including tournaments at Queens, Washington and Beijing. Verdasco ended in the final four at Hamburg and was
the runner up in San Jose, Estoril and Gstaadin 2010.
Currently holding the 24th spot in the ATP World Rankings, Verdasco has been in a decent form during the running season. The Spaniard registered convincing victories in 35 out of 57 matches he played, suffering defeats
on 22 occurrences. Verdasco has five ATP championship titles to his name but wasn’t able to grab one this year.
Luke Rive, the Heineken marketing manager, expressed his excitement by citing that the inclusion of Ferrer and Verdasco, combined with the recent completion of the ASB Tennis Centre, makes the Heineken Open the best tournament
for the coming year.
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