Verdasco embraces hometown feeling in Doha

DOHA—Fernando Verdasco may be a Spaniard, but he's adopted Doha as his permanent residence and the country has adopted him in return. He's made his way to the quarterfinals of his "home" ATP 250 event this week.

"Actually, that was five years ago already," Versdasco said about his move to Doha on Monday. "So right now I really feel like this is my home, and it's unbelievable. When I first moved back in 2016, obviously it was a big change. But now I feel amazing, and I'm so happy to be back every time I come during the year."

He's done an excellent job of promoting the Arabic peninsula on Instagram, become an ambassador of sorts.

He is one of the home favorites this week, with only a few neighboring countries represented (main draw wildcards Turkey's Cam Ilkel from Turkey and Tunisia's Malek Jaziri, plus two Qatari wildcards in qualifying). Verdasco opened with a 6-4, 6-3 win over fellow Spaniard Pablo Andujar, and then took out No. 6 seed Filip Krajinovic, 7-5, 4-6, 6-0.

"Also motivated and with a lot of energy coming from a pre-season that I work very hard," Verdasco said. "And I knew that maybe I was going to be getting better or worse, but I was going to be giving my best and trying my best and fighting the whole match."

The 34-year-old was entered in doubles as a wildcard, but withdrew.

He's been candid about planning for his fast-approaching future outside of competitive tennis.

"I think that Doha is the place for me that after my career I can really help the country to become better in sport," Verdasco said. "And I think that this country is improving amazing in that way, making huge events.

"And hopefully, in the future, after I finish playing tennis, I can have a spot in Qatar in sport and help the country to become even better and bigger."

BeIN SPORTS is based in Doha, and could be up Verdasco's alley. He also just became a father of a son with his wife Ana Boyer.

At No. 49, Verdasco is the fifth highest-ranked Spaniard and three spots from making the ATP Cup team in Perth. But even if he had earned one of Rafael Nadal or Roberto Bautista Agut's spots, he wouldn't have give up his home event.

"So I would love to play, but I will always choose Doha," he said. "So I think if the week is the same that I will never play the ATP Cup."

Verdasco will face No. 6 seed Filip Krajinovic on Wednesday.