The Oloroso of Tennis: The Maturing of the “Fragrant” Fernando Verdasco

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at Internationaled.org

Published: February 18, 2010

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Spanish sherry is a sorely undervalued wine. Tainted by associations with the syrupy brown tipple of yesteryear, its variety, delicacy, subtlety, and vitality is one of the revelations of travels through Spain.

And just as these glorious wines represent the diverse and sunny personality of that country, so do their tennis players. One look at Spain’s all-conquering Davis Cup squad and you are spoilt for choice.

The dry, crisp, light fino might be Tommy Robredo. The bold, salty tang of a manzanilla could sum up Feliciano Lopez. The nutty golden amber of an amontillado is Rafael Nadal. But the most perfect analogy is between the dark, intense oloroso and Fernando Verdasco.

There are plenty of the female persuasion who would nod at the suitability of the word for the most sultry of athletes: Oloroso is Spanish for “fragrant.”

But its appropriateness is more than skin deep. It has just as much to do with how the richest of sherries is produced. The long and unique maturing process makes this mellifluous wine suit Verdasco perfectly.

The deeply flavoured, dry oloroso ages slowly, becoming darker and stronger as it matures to coppery bronze. What’s more, its natural sugars convert, through long fermentation, to the sherry family’s highest alcohol content.

So in color, strength, and development, Verdasco emulates the finest oloroso. He is a man and a tennis player who seems to have grown more slowly and matured more steadily than the rest.

The Madrid native turned professional at the age of 17, as have many of today’s best players. Yet with most of the current high flyers still only between around 21 and 23 years old, Verdasco, at 26, could be regarded as a seasoned campaigner. He does, after all, have nine years on the Tour behind him.

Compare his progress, though, with the trajectory of his younger compatriot.

Nadal turned pro in...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Tennis

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