STARNBERG, December 25, 2016
Fernando Verdasco has hired former doubles World No. 1 and fellow Spaniard Emilio Sánchez Vicario as his new coach for the 2017 season.
The 33-year-old from Madrid made the announcement via twitter. “Very happy to inform you that Emilio Sánchez Vicario will be part of my team for the next season,” he wrote along with a photo of his team.
Muy feliz de comunicaros que @EmilioSVicario formará parte de mi equipo de trabajo de cara a la próxima temporada! 😉👍🏼 pic.twitter.com/bznqBENO7Q
— Fernando Verdasco (@FerVerdasco) 23. Dezember 2016
Verdasco, a former World No. 7, has slipped to No. 42 in the ATP rankings. Sánchez Vicario, who lifted 15 singles title on the ATP World Tour, is ‘happy’ that his compatriot believes in him. “I’m very happy that Fernando Verdasco believes that I can help him regain his place,” the 51-year-old tweeted.
I’m very happy that @FerVerdasco believes that I can help him regain his place.
— EmilioSanchezVicario (@EmilioSVicario) 23. Dezember 2016
Sánchez Vicario made it to World No. 7 in singles as well and won 50 doubles titles alongside Sergio Casal. He also made it to the top of the doubles rankings. He was the captain of the Spanish Davis Cup team for three years. Sánchez Vicario’s tenure there culminated in Spain’s 2008 Davis Cup triumph with Verdasco as one of his players. He resigned as captain after the win. He is co-founder of the Academia Sánchez-Casal located in Barclona, Florida and Nanjing.
