Today, November 15th, is Fernando’s 26th birthday :) He was born in Madrid in 1985 to José & Olga Verdasco.

The tennis dream for Nando started early. When he was barely a year old, his grandfather would put him in front of the television and turn on tennis matches to stop his crying; it worked: a smile appeared every time he watched tennis on TV. He loved running around the local tennis court and listening to the sound of the ball when older people would play. In fact, whenever he was taken away from the court, he started crying.

At age two, he could already pick up a racquet and hit the ball over the net. While other children his age were only interested in playing soccer or watching cartoons, Fernando would be watching tennis matches, especially John McEnroe and Andre Agassi, his childhood idols.

Nando began taking tennis lessons at age four and he was enrolled in a tennis academy near his home when he turned ten. As his potential grew, the Spanish Federation gave him a scholarship and, at 15, he moved to Barcelona where he won the Spanish championship under 16 and several other tournaments.

From the dream of a child to present day reality, Fernando is currently the eighth-ranked player in the world, the second best player in Spain and preparing for his first appearance in the season-ending ATP Tour Finals. He has three ATP tour titles and helped, in what he considers his finest moment, in the absence of compatriot Rafael Nadal, lead his Davis Cup teammates to victory, delivering a win in the final match to make Spain the world champions.

Since the huge win at the Davis Cup, Fernando has has continued to roll on the crest of a wave that has so far led him to a marquee year in 2009 that saw him reach three ATP 250 series finals (winning one) the quarterfinals of six ATP Masters events, the semi-finals of the Australian Open, quarterfinals of the U.S. Open and the fourth round in the French Open and Wimbledon.

Fernando is now preparing to cap off his best season to date with his first ever appearance at the year-end ATP World Tour Finals in London, as well as another chance to help Spain with a consecutive Davis Cup title in the Davis Cup finals this December in Barcelona.

Happy Birthday Fernando, best of luck in London, in Barcelona and for the new year :)