Fernando Verdasco - what the hell happened to such a talent?

[RF-18]

Verdascos Career has of course been good but seriously, he is such a talent and has a game in him that can destroy any tennis player today or ever. It's heartbreaking watching some of his videos were he has lost close matches, like this year against murray and of course 2009 AO against nadal.

That potential he had/has, is such a shame he hasn't been able to maintain. All his Career has been up and down but when playing really good he has always reached far. Such a pity he couldn't been more consistent.

Just look at Ferrer for example, he isn't even near verdascos level of tennis and talent, and many others on tour, but its that motivation and fighting spirit that has been keeping Ferrer at top and produced fantastic results in every tournament. If only verdasco had that, he Would have had slams in his closet right now.

Without any doubt, verdascos highest level is at the absolute top, among nole, Federer, nadal, he is, if you look at the talent and technique, as good as them but the difference is they have been consistent troughout their Career.

Verdasco to me will always be remembered for the Great talent he is, but also the Guy who never fullfilled his potential. He has Great personality too. Rooting for him in Stockholm, he really needs it.

Grande verdasco!

 

[tennisaddict]

I seriously want him to win a title soon, want to see him back in top 15. He is way more entertaining than Isner and Raonic.

 

[helterskelter]

Bizarrely, during the Verdasco/Malisse match at Wimbledon 2012, the commentators said that Verdasco had maxed out on his talent, whereas Malisse could have done so much more.

Kind of agree on Malisse (although his size was a problem), but Verdasco? Really? Isn't it absolutely painfully obvious that he has way more game than, say, Ferrer?

 

[merwy]

Yeah I know right, it's so sad. The guy as an amazing forehand (one of my favorites) and a good backhand and serve as well. His game is also nice to watch in general, so I do hope he will improve next year and have those AO09- and Wimbly13-moments more often.

 

[RF-18]

Bizarrely, during the Verdasco/Malisse match at Wimbledon 2012, the commentators said that Verdasco had maxed out on his talent, whereas Malisse could have done so much more.

Kind of agree on Malisse (although his size was a problem), but Verdasco? Really? Isn't it absolutely painfully obvious that he has way more game than, say, Ferrer?

Never. Malisse isn't even close if you ask me.

 

[RF-18]

Yeah I know right, it's so sad. The guy as an amazing forehand (one of my favorites) and a good backhand and serve as well. His game is also nice to watch in general, so I do hope he will improve next year and have those AO09- and Wimbly13-moments more often.

Really sad and i can Nothing but fel for him because you can see right through him when he plays what a big game he has in him. Fantastic talent.

But its not just the motivational and fighting spirit that has been the issue, its the mental part too.

Still he is very entertaining and has a Great personality. Seemed like a great guy too in interviews. He is 29 years old wich isn't that much if you think about it, with that game he can surprise even if its Maybe to late for a slam, but never say never to verdasco.

 

[Richie Rich]

why is it a waste? not everyone has the drive to be no 1. for some just doing good enough is ok. nothing wrong with that. see it in every profession.

 

[RF-18]

why is it a waste? not everyone has the drive to be no 1. for some just doing good enough is ok. nothing wrong with that. see it in every profession.

Yes but i think it's a pity because he could have done something much bigger with his career given the talent. But as you say, not all has the drive, maybe he wanted to focus on other stuff than just tennis, I don't know, but if he had the spirit, heart, motivation etc half of Ferrer has he would have slams right now. Can't I feel sorry for that according to you?

Ferrer for example, has not Great tennis in him, he has been performing above his level, but the special thing about him that you appriciate is his fighting, never give up strategy. That has been keeping him where he is now, well not just that, of course he is a Great tennis player but not so good.

 

[RF-18]

Motivation beats class in some parts, as people say.

 

[illusions30]

Kind of agree on Malisse (although his size was a problem), but Verdasco? Really? Isn't it absolutely painfully obvious that he has way more game than, say, Ferrer?

It is obvious he probably has more firepower and more offensive game than Ferrer. He is far more interesting to wonder (I find Ferrer about the most boring player on tour). That doesnt neccessarily mean he has more game. Ferrer's defense is outstanding and streets better than Verdasco's. His return of serve has been one of the best in the game since 2007, and again far better than Verdasco's erratic returning. Ferrer is a better thinker on court and has a better understanding of atleast what he is trying to do.

Even removing the mental toughness and work ethic parts of the equation, it isnt obvious Verdasco has more game.

When he was a top 10 player for a couple years people were surprised. People had already pegged him to be a career top 30 player, and his rise to the top 10 came out of the blue to most. Yes Ferrer is a humungous overachiver, but Verdasco was never pegged for greatness either. I wouldnt say he massively underachieved in anyway, just did not overachieve the way Ferrer has.

 

[Daized]

Watch the wimbledon semifinal and his god awful transition game (coming forward). It's no mystery why he's been so inconsistent throughout the years. Sure this is a base line era, but Nole and Rafa do come in to put away balls when necessary. Verdasco is pretty awful at that, and so if he isn't painting lines consistently, he can lose to much less talented players.

 

[illusions30]

What makes Verdasco so talented? He is pretty much a one dimensional ball basher, and there are many who play that style alot better than he can (Soderling, Berdych, Del Potro, Tsonga although he has variety as well, Gonzalez when he played, Raonic, Cilic and Gulbis on a good day). If he were so talented he would have better feel, more variety, amazing timing, great natural athleticsm, rarely seen ball striking capacity. He none of that. It doesnt take that much talent to just sledgehammer the ball, which many others who can do better and more consistently well than him anyway.

I think some view his 2009 Australian Open semifinal as how he should be able to play on a regular basis, but it definitely isnt. It was one of those lightning in a bottle tournaments for him. Even then there are a long list of players of the last decade who in the best tournament or performance of their entire careers would have eclipsed that probably.

 

[ATP100]

Easy Answer: Injuries...

 

[big ted]

i think its a good example how making fewer errors in a tennis match (ferrer) is more successful than shot making in a tennis match (verdasco). of course if you can make fewer errors while shot making thats even better (nadal, djokovic, murray, federer).

 

[papertank]

Verdasco has an amazing forehand, but not much else except on his best days. He wasn't a potential #1 or anything. Even so, his forehand is enough that he could have been a mainstay in the top 10. He just wasn't willing to put in the hard and consistent work necessary to stay at his top level. I've heard he much prefers to just stay in the gym and work out to actually going on court and practicing.

Also, something needs to be said for his lack of mental strength. He has choked away more matches than most players.

 

[Overdrive]

Verdasco has already been discussed ad nauseum. Please use the search tab if you want to revive old threads.

 

[Death Master]

very little testicular fortitude.

does not move well enough.


is not consistent enough.


end of story.

 

[Gut Check]

Verdasco's slide from the upper echelons started with the "real tennis" fiasco. Raonic got into his head, and Verdasco has never been the same since. When your career gets derailed by crippling insecurities concerning the matchup against a rookie just starting out on tour, you know there wasn't much career potential to begin with.

That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

 

[Paul Murphy]

A wonderful game when he's "on" - much prefer his FH over Rafa's.
Their AO semi was a classic.

 

[RF-18]

When you speak about the devil... today him and ferrer will meet in quarters. Interesting.

 

[dominikk1985]

Bizarrely, during the Verdasco/Malisse match at Wimbledon 2012, the commentators said that Verdasco had maxed out on his talent, whereas Malisse could have done so much more.

Kind of agree on Malisse (although his size was a problem), but Verdasco? Really? Isn't it absolutely painfully obvious that he has way more game than, say, Ferrer?

he has a big serve and huge FH with a lot of spin. I think he is a very talented player with a lot of weapons. not sure how good his movement and fitness is.

 

[DJTaurus]

 

[sredna42]

Still sulking over Fernando bombing out....

I hope I didn't jinx him with my thread...

 

[Deleted member 757377]

he is slow. I don't how much he could have improved this with training.

 

[vive le beau jeu !]

still surprising that RG is the only slam where he didn't reach the QF...
https://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/ind...s-who-reached-the-qf-at-all-the-slams.426629/
... despite reaching the 4th round 7(!) times !

 

[NatF]

He has ADHD, probably doesn't help him with the mental aspects. Physically he's got a lot of talent.

 

[jga111]

In sport - particularly in tennis, the most important telling attribute is the one you CAN'T see.

Mentality.

Djokovic is on another level here and really there is no surprise that Verdasco lost here, despite his amazing tennis I should add.

 

[jga111]

He has ADHD, probably doesn't help him with the mental aspects. Physically he's got a lot of talent.

Snap

 

[acintya]

Women destroyed him.

he should hold his sexual energy inside him and train a little harder and he would blow everyone off the court.

Just look at Tyson in his prime. He didnt have sex for FIVE years. The Animal in him was meaner every month of the absence.

I am just kidding but.. there is a little truth in this - but tennis is a different sport - maybe this couldnt work in tennis.

Just want to say - there is a lot at stake, a lot of sacrifice in tennis and if you throw a party and drink here and there you will maybe never make it to the top - you need to be 100% concentrated or you are behind.

 

[thrust]

Yeah I know right, it's so sad. The guy as an amazing forehand (one of my favorites) and a good backhand and serve as well. His game is also nice to watch in general, so I do hope he will improve next year and have those AO09- and Wimbly13-moments more often.

Verdasco's failures are mostly mental choking in crucial parts of a match. No doubt he has great physical talent which was never maximized, which is a real shame.