The reign of the big three is utterly dominant and only a handful of players were able to win a grand slam during their peak.
For many years it was pretty much impossible and Verdasco was among those that came up short. He played in a semi-final once against Nadal but could not overcome his compatriot. Many failed because Djokovic, Nadal and Federer were just so great.
It was practically impossible for other players to think of lifting a major title, only Cilic, Del Potro or Wawrinka managed to win a Slam in that period. In almost 20 years and 80 Slams played, it happened on three or four occasions. Now there's certainly more room for everyone.
Verdasco was number 7 in 2009 which was the highest ranking he ever had but he would have preferred to be seventh now because the landscape is far wider open than it was back then. It's not really comparable in his mind.
If you ask me as a player if I would have preferred to occupy seventh position today or in 2009, my answer is today. Roger has just retired, Murray is no longer at the same level he was ten years ago and Rafa unfortunately always has to live with many injuries.
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