Watch: Novak Djokovic's wholesome gesture during farewell fixture for Fernando Verdasco won hearts

Novak Djokovic helped create a memorable farewell for Fernando Verdasco at the Qatar Open. The duo participated in the men's doubles quarter-final on Wednesday, concluding Verdasco's impressive 24-year professional tennis career. 

They had a promising start by defeating Karen Khachanov and Alexander Bublik in the opening round. However, they faced tough competition in the quarter-finals, losing in straight sets to the second-seeded pair of Henry Patten and Harri Heliovaara.

Djokovic's touching gesture leaves fans in awe

As the match concluded with a score of 7-5, 6-4, following a forehand error from Verdasco that landed into the net, both the Spaniard and Djokovic shared a warm embrace. Their smiles radiated as they approached the net to shake hands with British player Patten and Finnish competitor Heliovaara.

Fernando Verdasco receiving so much love as he says goodbye to tennis.

Novak tells the crowd to cheer even louder.

Beautiful scenes. 🥹

pic.twitter.com/xuaXqK1H5B

— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) February 19, 2025

The crowd erupted in rapturous applause for Verdasco, who resides in Doha, as he spread his arms wide to acknowledge their appreciation. Djokovic rallied the home crowd to make more noise for the tennis veteran as he marched off the court.

Verdasco decided to hang up his racket following a surprising doubles partnership with the 24-time Grand Slam champion, but he has numerous accomplishments of his own. 

Turning pro in 2001, the Madrid-born star reached the Australian Open semi-final and achieved a career-high world ranking of nine in 2009. He made it to three other Grand Slam quarter-finals, secured seven Tour titles, and also excelled in doubles.

Verdasco played his last professional fixture back in 2023. He returned for his last dance alongside Novak Djokovic this week. Although Djokovic shared plenty of heartfelt moments on the court, his performance with his racket at Doha was far from being the best. The Serbian lost his first-round fixture against Matteo Berrettini in straight sets.

"The emotions are very big after being out of competition for a year and a half," he said. "I've been living here for 10 years now, so this feels like my house, like my home, and there is no better way to retire than in my home, with all my family, with my friends, and with someone like Novak Djokovic who, obviously, in the matter of numbers, is the best player in history of tennis and one of the best athletes in history as well," Verdasco added.