Fernando Verdasco opens up about his son repeatedly asking when he could see "his friend" Rafael Nadal during their time in Australia

Spanish tennis player Fernando Verdasco has revealed that his son Mateo is "obsessed" with the sport and repeatedly asked to meet "his friend" Rafael Nadal during last month's Australian Open.

Both Spaniards commenced their 2023 season at the Melbourne Major. While Verdasco failed to qualify for the main draw, Nadal was knocked out of the second round after a straight-sets defeat against American Mackenzie McDonald.

According to reporter Blair Henry, Verdasco opened up about his two-year-old son wanting to meet "his friend Rafa."

"Per Fernando Verdasco, his 2yo son Mateo is obsessed with tennis & repeatedly asked when he could see "his friend Rafa" in Australia," Henley wrote in a tweet.

Verdasco revealed another funny incident that occurred during the Australian Open. He said that he greeted the 22-time Grand Slam winner with a "tap on the butt," adding that he was one of the few people that could get away with it.

"Said he proceeded to greet Nadal with a tap on the butt, and added he’s probably the only person who could get away with that," the reporter added.

Verdasco is currently competing at the Dallas Open. The 39-year-old, who is the top seed in qualifiers, beat home-favorite Evan Zhu in the first qualifier match. While Zhu comfortably secured the first set, Verdasco fought back to clinch the remaining two sets.

He will now lock horns with sixth seed Mitchell Krueger in the next round of qualifiers on Tuesday.

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Rafael Nadal is not retiring for now, says Spaniard's uncle

Rafael Nadal at the 2023 Australian Open

Rafael Nadal's uncle Toni has said that the World No. 6 will not retire anytime soon from professional tennis.

The 22-time Grand Slam champion has been out of action since suffering a hip strain at the Australian Open. However, Toni said his nephew will continue playing once he regains fitness.

"In his mind he is not retiring for now. Another thing is what the doctors say or that he has more pain than he touches. The moment is still good and if he is fit, he will continue," the Spaniard revealed during an educational meeting.

While the former World No.1 can be expected to be back on court, Toni expressed skepticism on whether his nephew will be fit enough to beat Novak Djokovic for the overall Grand Slam title record.

"In the end it's a complicated fight against a great champion like Djokovic. To overcome Djokovic is difficult because Djokovic is fresher than him. He will have options at Roland Garros and after France. We'll see," asserted Toni.