This month, our Craig Karseno caught up with ATP Pro Hans Hach Verdugo. Hans paired up with Luis Patino in 2015, finishing as doubles finalists at the RBC Tennis Championships of Dallas. Last year the Mexico native reached the semifinals with Dennis Novikov, losing to eventual champions Nicolas Meister and Eric Quigley.

 

Q – You had a great season on tour, ending the year with a career-high ranking of 213. What do you contribute to your success?

A – Being Persistent. There are many players with better skills, who move better than me, or are stronger than me, but plenty of them gave up and never reached the 213th spot. I have been persistent, been staying the course, and that´s why I am the player I am right now.

Q – You played college tennis at Abilene Christian University. How did your college playing career help you get ready for the ATP Tour?

A – Tennis is a VERY selfish sport. We all focus on ourselves, always trying to get better, and you can easily get lost and find yourself all alone. I think college tennis made me realize that life is different, you always need a team. Since I graduated, I have been trying to surround myself with a good team. With good friends, good people, good coaches, people that will always help me reach my goals in tennis, but more important, in life. It is hard to go from college tennis to pro tennis. In college you are always traveling with teammates, working out with teammates, sharing hotel rooms with teammates. On the tour you spend lots of time by yourself, you spend lots of time in the gym by yourself, you may have to travel by yourself for a few weeks, so it’s a totally different ball game!

Q – What have been the hardest things to adjust to while being on the road 30 plus weeks a year?

A – Not many people know this, but the hardest thing for me has been the lifestyle. I always dreamed of being a professional tennis player, and I knew it was an extremely challenging dream. I always heard people say that tennis players work super hard, that you need discipline, you need money, nutrition, etc., but they never talk about the lifestyle, the 30 weeks you are on the road – the lonely days!

Q – In 2015, at the RBC Tennis Championships of Dallas, you played doubles with fellow countryman Luis Patino and arguably had one of your biggest wins of your career. In the quarterfinals, you and Luis defeated Mardy Fish and Mark Knowles. Can you talk about that victory?

A – Playing Mardy Fish and Mark Knowles was definitely something I will always look back to. I remember reading Mardy´s story that week, I was in shock! Life can give you a lot, but you never know when life may take things away from you. I remember being a bit nervous, I remember the song that was being played when we walked on the court (Thinking out loud – Ed Sheeran) lol. Not the best song you need before playing those two legends, but I guess it worked! That match was definitely a stepping stone in my career, it made me believe I was good enough, and that good things were coming my way.

Q – You’ve achieved one of the biggest goals of any player on tour; playing for your country (Mexico) in Davis Cup. Explain the emotions that you felt that weekend.

A – I am lucky enough to say that I have accomplished a few of my goals. I have been able to play an ATP 500 event, an ATP 250 event, and represent my country in Davis Cup. I won a five-setter match, a four hour and 20 minute match in Mexico, in front of my crowd, and more important, my family. I will never ever forget that moment, it honestly gives me the chills. People always told me playing Davis Cup is a special moment in your career, and they were right. Emotions are crazy before the match and for me, the emotions after the match were absolutely insane! I think what really broke me down in tears was to see how happy my parents were. We know all tennis players are grinders, they all sacrifice like crazy, but their FAMILIES have sacrificed as much or maybe more than the actual player. Going back to my goals, I have one goal I really want to reach, and that´s to play in a Grand Slam. Let´s hope it happens this 2017!

Q – When the time comes to hang up the sticks, what would you like to be doing in the next chapter of your life?

A – I am proud to say that I have a business degree from Abilene Christian University. I think that´s always a Plan B, or something I could do after tennis. But to be very honest, I don´t know what life will bring. Coaching tennis could also be an option, I think I can relate to so many tennis kids, tennis is a big journey where you learn every single day. Helping kids go through that journey could be something special

For now, I am trying to enjoy this tennis adventure. I´m living the dream, and this isn´t forever. Let´s enjoy the dream before it´s time to wake up.