Verdasco talks about his vision of the Big 3: "You have to imagine how difficult it was to win a Grand Slam or even a Masters 1000."

Fernando Verdasco bid farewell to the world of professional tennis after a doubles defeat in Doha alongside Novak Djokovic.

In comments reported by L'Equipe, the Madrid native spoke of the Big 3 (Federer, Nadal, Djokovic) with whom he had rubbed shoulders throughout his years on the ATP circuit:

"The only one I haven't been able to beat is Roger. But to have beaten Rafa, Novak or even Andy, those are my greatest victories, memories I'll carry with me forever.

Between us, we call them 'The Immortals' (laughs). Back then, to win a Grand Slam, you had to beat two or three of them.

In Australia, I beat Murray and then Tsonga, who were No. 4 and No. 5. But after that, you had to beat Rafa, who was n°1. And in the final, it was Roger who was n°2.

Imagine how difficult it was to win a Grand Slam in those days. Even a Masters 1000. In Monte Carlo, I beat Berdych and then Djokovic, but lost to Nadal in the final.

Facing the three best players in history playing at the same time wasn't easy. In the end, it was even a little discouraging, I have to say.