For Fernando Verdasco, the opening round match in Madrid that he won against the Italian Paolo Lorenzi was much more special than many of the ones he played during his long career. Verdasco picked up his 500th match win on the main tour. 'It was a special match to play in my city in front of my whole family and friends', he said.

'And because I was coming from issues with the calf for three weeks, and until the last days I didn't know whether to play or not, I could not play in Barcelona. I was able to be here and start with a win that is the 500th in my career.

Many times the first match is the most complicated one. Is there a better place than Madrid to get 500 wins? It's an unbelievable number that I never even thought about. I'm super-emotional and super-happy.' He still loves to compete: 'I'm 34 years old now and I'm battling against 21-, 22-, 23-year-old -- kids a lot younger than I am.

They have a lot less kilometres on their legs. I just have to work really hard, stay highly motivated and believe that I can beat them. Everyone faces adversity; playing tennis is hard work and sometimes you just want to go to the beach or unwind for a few days with friends.

But when I'm gone a week, I miss it. I just want to get back on court, go to the gym, keep improving and working hard to be at a high level and be able to fight against the best players in the world. I hope I still have time to improve on more things and to spend a few more years as a player.' ALSO READ: Roger Federer and Marin Cilic's unlikely post-marriage parallel