Last week, Fernando and Feliciano played an exhibition match on the Centre Court of the Madrid Tennis Federation in front of 1,200 spectators to celebrate the opening of the center’s new courts. The two played a short match (Feliciano won 4-2) in front of Manolo Santana, director of the Madrid Open, Miguel Diaz, president of the Madrid Tennis Federation, and Ignacio Gonzalez, Vice President and Minister of Culture and Sport of the Community of Madrid.

Both players received special plaques to commemorate the occasion and Fernando talked about his hopes to play the Tour Finals for the second consecutive year: “I still have five important tournaments left to play [Bangkok, Beijing, Shanghai, Valencia & Paris] and what I want is to qualify for the Year End Championships in London. There are eight spots and so I hope to be higher than seventh after the tournaments in Asia, why is it that I played well, and so meet Paris and Valencia to be well and qualify.”

He also talked about how the renewal of the contract of Albert Costa as Spain’s Davis Cup captain as “good news, because all players get along very well with him. In his first year, we won the Davis Cup in Barcelona and we hope to repeat this in the future.”

In Bangkok, Fernando took part in a Muay Thai training session, coached by 2008 Beijing Olympic gold medalist Somjit Jongjorhor. “I would love to learn more Thai boxing. I’ve always loved martial arts so maybe when I stop playing tennis I can learn some more. It was a lot of fun to learn some of the moves today.”

Fernando also talked again about his hopes to grab one of the six remaining spots at the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals in London. “The goal for me now is to get to London for the second consecutive year, so I’m going to fight hard to be there. I really want to finish in the Top 8 this year. Playing last year was very special for me as it was the first time that I qualified. Hopefully the experience from last year will help me if I can get there again this year.”

Fernando and Feliciano were honored at a reception at the Trump Soho hotel on Thursday, prior to the start of their 2010 US Open campaigns. The event, held in the library of the hotel, was attended by the Spanish consulate in New York as well as members of Spanish cultural institutions and members of the press.

Both players said they were ready for the start of the Open on Monday, Fernando saying “I want to do my best at this tournament. I hope this year can pass beyond the quarter-finals, which I reached last year.”

Feliciano and Fernando are part of the Spanish Armada, a nickname for Spain’s four-time Davis Cup champion tennis team, but also an all-compassing nickname for all of Spain’s elite athletes, who in recent years, have risen to occupy the top of their disciplines.

The tenistas said they continue to enjoy the triumph of La Roja, the nickname for the Spanish football team that recently became world champions at this summer’s 2010 FIFA World Cup, and likewise said they were proud of the achievements of their compatriots in other fields such as Formula 1, the Tour de France and basketball, just a short list of the recent achievements of “La Armada Española.”

(via impre)

While in London participating in the Boodles Challenge, Fernando stopped by the Calvin Klein Jeans flagship store on Regent Street. He greeted several fans and signed a wall poster of himself before spending some time shopping in the store before leaving.

Fernando is one of the current faces of Calvin Klein’s new X Underwear campaign, along with American actors Kellan Lutz and Mehcad Brooks and Japanese soccer player Hidetoshi Nakata.

Fernando attended the Men’s Health Magazine Fashion Awards at the Club de Campo in Madrid on June 8. Fernando was the big winner of the night, receiving the Man of the Year award.

He also spent his week off attending the Rock in Rio concert, taking his younger sister to see Miley Cyrus, and attending Shakira’s concert. He also went out for tapas with Shakira and some other friends as well.

with Fernando Gonzalez, Marta Montenegro, Feliciano Lopez & Carlos Moya

Tennis stars Fernando Verdasco and Feliciano Lopez are both eager to soak up South Florida’s relaxed environment ahead of the Sony Ericsson tennis tournament kicking off this week — but they’re keeping to a strict regimen.

“I don’t really go out — at least until I finish the tournament,” Verdasco said last night. “And after that, we will see.”

Speaking at the Epic Hotel release party for Marta Montenegro’s fitness DVD, the pair said they’re sticking to the courts before they begin digging into the Miami scene.

“It’s one of the tournaments we always want to play,” said Lopez. “We feel great here.”

(via nbc miami)

Fernando has been a busy guy in the week leading up to the BNP Paribas Open! He attended the Elton John AIDS Foundation’s 18th Annual Oscar Viewing Party on Sunday night with actor friend Adrian Bellani…

…and once again participated in the KSwiss Desert Smash event on Wednesday afternoon, posing at the afterparty with fellow Adidas tennis star Caroline Wozniacki and actor Christian Slater…

…and rounded off his busy week with an apperance at the Indian Wells Player Party last night!

© Zahed Khan (10sballs.com)

Next, it’s back to the tennis courts for Fernando, who is first up on Center Court on Saturday morning, facing off against qualifier Ramón Delgado. Vamos Fernando, and best of luck at the BNP Paribas Open!

Fernando will be one of the players participating in the NAB Taste of Tennis Presented by Pandora next month just before the Australian Open kicks off. Fernando joins other players like Pat Cash, Andy Roddick, Sam Querrey, Nicolas Kiefer, Vera Zvonareva, Aleksandra Wozniak, Jarmila Groth and more. The event features some of Melbourne’s top chefs who will pair up with the players to prepare dinner for guests. In addition to amazing food and signature cocktails, this 3-hour party will feature a variety of interactive stations, full open bar, great music, and a silent auction that benefits the Starlight Children’s Foundation.

You can visit the official website here for more information or to purchase tickets :)