The world of tennis is witnessing the beginning of a new dynasty.  After conquering the World Cup, Spanish players are on the verge of reigning supreme over the U.S. Open. Fernando Verdasco (#8 in the world) and Feliciano Lopez (#23) are following closely in the footsteps of champion Rafael Nadal. 

We spoke with the rising stars at a reception held at Trump SoHo in celebration of their New York arrival. The 46-story, 391-room property with its classically inspired interiors and contemporary New York design served as the perfect setting for our conversation.

According to Lopez, “New York is one of my favorite cities.  I love playing here.” For Verdasco it’s a sweet homecoming, “I’m motivated. Last year I made the Quarterfinals and this year I hope to do even better. I’m getting better every day and I hope things go better this year.” 

Feliciano Lopez
Both players live the sport. For Lopez, “Tennis has always been my passion. I started as a kid and have played all my life.”  While Verdasco says, “I started playing at two years old with my father in our courts at home and at five years old I was giving lessons.” 

Verdasco and Lopez have done well during the tournament and last Tuesday Flushing Meadows saw history with “Spain Day” as the tournament had two all-Spanish matchups. Verdasco defeated No. 10 David Ferrer by a 5-7, 6-7 (8), 6-3, 6-3, 7-6 (4) victory.  Lopez unfortunately faced today’s greatest tennis player, losing to Nadal 6-3, 6-4, 6-4, in a tough match that ended past 1am.  

Verdasco suffered the same faith losing to Nadal in the first all-Spanish Quarterfinal in U.S. Open history. This anticipated match was a rematch of their five-set Australian Open semifinal from 2009 — another all-Spanish classic.               

“He’s a very accomplished player,” Nadal said of Verdasco. “He has all the shots. He’s a very, very good player.”

This year Spain had six players in the round of 16 tying the most for a foreign country since the Open era began in 1968.  

Fernando Verdasco
Verdasco puts it all in perspective, “We’re living the best time in Spanish sports.  People often ask me why, and I don’t really have an answer. I just feel God said at this time in history Spain will have the best soccer players, the best tennis players – even the best in our history with Nadal, the best Formula 1 driver, the best in cycling, the best in basketball. I just feel privileged to be a part of this history.”

Fernando Verdasco & Feliciano Lopez join Rodrigo Nino, president of Prodigy International,
sales & marketing firm for Trump SoHo