Fernando Verdasco doing it the Agassi way
Flashy, explosive, talented and dangerous, this is how the Fernando Verdasco is defined.
His potential and talent has been under the limelight ever since he turned professional in 2001. This Spanish tennis ace has been making waves on the international tennis scene with his powerful ground strokes and a booming serve. Ranked as the country’s
number 2 player after Rafael Nadal, he has been on the grander stage for many years. Although considered to be somewhat of a late bloomer, many argue that he has not lived up to his full potential and expectations. Experts argue that there’s no shortage of
talent but Verdasco should focus on consistency and mental strength which pose as a greater challenge for the player.
Fernando Verdasco has been a consistent visitor to the fourth round of every major grand slam. He was a semi-finalist at the Australian Open 2009 (his only grand slam semi-final to date). However, this level of play is nowhere near the standard that Verdasco
can or wants to achieve. In the last 9 years of his professional career, the world number 8 has never been on the court competing on the second Sunday of any grand slam - a fact that he would soon like to change.
The 2008-09 season came as a breakthrough for Verdasco where he helped Spain win the Davis Cup (late 2008), reaching his first ever semi-final at the Australian Open 2009. It was here that Verdasco played the best tennis of his life, eventually losing out
to Rafael Nadal by serving a double fault. Since 2008, he has won four career titles (Umag, Barcelona and New Haven) and has reached the finals of the ATP World Tour Masters 1000 in Monte Carlo. This success since the latter part of 2008 took more than just
flashy strokes and sheer talent from this Spanish tennis professional. His career took a turn for the better when the Spaniard made one of the most important decisions of his career and decided to train with Gil Reyes.
Following in the footsteps of his long time tennis idol and role model Andre Agassi, Verdasco made the conscience decision of taking a very important and vital step towards accomplishing his dreams of winning a major grand slam. He went to Las Vegas to enlist
the help of some of the great names in tennis. Verdasco received invaluable guidance from the former world number 1, Agassi himself. He also trained with one of the most respected coaches Darren Cahill, who previously worked with players like Andre Agassi
and Lleyton Hewitt. Moreover, he followed the fitness regime designed by the veteran physical trainer - the man responsible for Agassi’s impeccable physical fitness - Gil Reyes. The former world number 1 admits that his sessions with Gil Reyes played a huge
part in his grand slam title wins after he turned 29.
Before teaming up with Agassi, Gil Reyes was not a professional tennis player trainer. The two developed a fitness regime that is still being used by those players training with Reyes. The regime includes two hours of court practice, two hours of weight
training and a sprint up and down the 320-yard hill (nicked named “the magic mountain”). Reyes now has a contract with Adidas to train players who are sponsored by the brand.
Fernando Verdasco has worked relentlessly with Gil Reyes to achieve the level of fitness needed to win major tournaments. The world number eight did not take time off even for Christmas; he put in four hours of work on Christmas. As a result of his dedication
and determination, Verdasco broke into the top ten player’s rankings for the first time in his career in 2009. The training session did wonders for him. Results of his intense hard work were soon evident in the first grand slam at the Australian Open 2009
where he played after working with Reyes. He breezed through the first three rounds of the tournament. His first real test came against Andy Murray in the fourth round. Clearly rated as the underdog, Verdasco surprised everyone by winning the match in five
sets. In the quarter-finals, he was up against 2008 Australian Open finalist Jo-Wilfred Tsonga, where Verdasco surprised everyone again by winning it in four sets.
He continued to impress everyone with his intelligent game play and extra ordinary physical fitness. Up next was the match that went on to become the longest match ever in Australian Open history - the semi-final against fellow Spaniard Rafael Nadal. It
was another five-set thriller for Verdasco, who showed remarkable tenacity and stamina during the five-hour battle. The tournament was closely followed by Gil Reyes who watched Verdasco’s every match and was constantly impressed by the 26-year-old’s passion
and level of commitment.
Verdasco says that his training sessions with Reyes have given his game the lift it needed. On the other hand, the trainer believes that Verdasco’s recent success is the result of his willingness and commitment to reach the top. "His learning curve has been
unbelievable,'' says Reyes.
The Spaniard has been lurking at the edge of greatness, and his time spent in Las Vegas promises to give him the push he needs to be recognized as a real contender for grand slam titles.
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