 Photographer: Sergio Carmona
Date: 11 Jul 2009 |  Photographer: Sergio Carmona
Date: 10 Jul 2009 |  Photographer: Sergio Carmona
Date: 10 Jul 2009 |  Photographer: Paul Zimmer
Date: 23 Nov 2008 |  Photographer: Paul Zimmer
Date: 23 Nov 2008 |  Photographer: Paul Zimmer
Date: 23 Nov 2008 |
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| 25 Nov 2009 | |
| Verdasco strives for fitness |
Fernando Verdasco will be hoping to shake off some niggly injuries to take his place in the Spanish team to face Czech Republic in next week’s Davis Cup by BNP Paribas Final in Barcelona.
Verdasco has been selected in the squad by Albert Costa, Spain’s captain, alongside Rafael Nadal, David Ferrer and Feliciano Lopez. It will be his 11th Davis Cup tie since making his debut against Slovak Republic in 2006.
“The foot is feeling good,” said Verdasco, who is competing at the ATP World Tour Finals in London this week. “Physically, I was with some problems in my knees but I took some days off.
“I hope that all the matches here at the Masters will be without pain and also I will arrive in Spain to play the Davis Cup feeling good. I need to see day-by-day how I will feel and then we will see if I am the best option to play.
“If not, I will not be angry. I just want to win the Final of the Davis Cup and if it’s me playing, and I’m the one, then of course I’ll be so happy.
“But if I’m not ready, or if I have pain, or I feel that Ferrer or another guy of my team is in better shape than me and can play better than me, then I will talk to the captain.
“I will not be selfish and think only about myself. I will think about the team and winning the Davis Cup, whoever plays the matches.”
In last year’s Final, when Spain defeated Argentina in Mar del Plata to win its third title, Verdasco won the decisive point with a five sets victory over Jose Acasuso. He is looking forward to having home support this time around.
“I’m so excited,” said Verdasco, talking about the Final being staged in Barcelona. “Last year it was really tough for me to play in Argentina with all those people routing against me but that makes me stronger and tougher.
“I wish to one day play the Final in Spain and this year it is possible so I’m so happy to have that chance and I will do my best to try to keep the trophy in Spain for one more year.”
Costa has also named Juan Carlos Ferrero, the former world No. 1, as part of Spain’s squad. He will travel and train with the team to be ready if required.
Click the link below to listen to Craig Gabriel’s full interview with Fernando Verdasco…
Related Audio
 Interview with Fernando Verdasco (ESP) - Pre-Final
 
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