Fernando Verdasco: Son repeatedly asked to see 'his friend' Rafael Nadal in Australia

• Tennis News
• Rafael Nadal

Fernando Verdasco reveals his two-year-old son Mateo is "obsessed with tennis" and "repeatedly asked in Australia when he could see his friend Rafael Nadal." When Mateo met his friend, he proceeded to give the 22-time Grand Slam champion a tap on the butt.

Reflecting on that scene, Verdasco jokingly said his son was probably the only one "who could get away with that."

Per Fernando Verdasco, his 2yo son Mateo is obsessed with tennis & repeatedly asked when he could see “his friend Rafa” in Australia.

Said he proceeded to greet Nadal with a tap on the butt, and added he’s probably the only person who could get away with that.

😂 — Blair Henley (@BlairHenley) February 5, 2023

14 years ago, Verdasco and Nadal delivered an outstanding Australian Open semifinal. Verdasco competed extremely well against Nadal in the 2009 Australian Open semifinal but now the 22-time Grand Slam champion escaped with a 6-7 (4) 6-4 7-6 (2) 6-7 (1) 6-4.

How did Verdasco, Nadal do at the 2023 Australian Open

Verdasco, a former world No 7, tried to earn a main draw place at the Australian Open through the qualifying event but fell short in his bid after losing to Juncheng Shang in the qualifying second round.

On the other side, Nadal had a devastating and devastating end to his Australian Open. In the Australian Open second round, Nadal suffered a straight-set defeat to Mackenzie McDonald. But throughout the entire match, Nadal was visibly in pain and discomfort.

Still, Nadal decided against retiring the match even though he probably knew there was no chance he could in such a condition. In his press conference, Nadal revealed he was hampered by a hip injury. When asked why he didn't want to retire the match, Nadal explained he felt it just would not have been right to retire as the defending champion.

“I didn't ask my team, I'm old enough to make my own decisions. Being the defending champion, I did not want to retire here. Just try your best till the end no matter the chances, that is the philosophy of the sport," Nadal said after the loss to McDonald. Nadal could return as soon as in March.