RIO DE JANEIRO - Spanish tennis player Fernando Verdasco has confirmed he will play in the 2020 Rio Open, South America's only ATP 500 event.

The 36-year-old will be hoping to go one step further than he did in the 2019 edition, when he lost the final to Argentina's Diego Schwartzman.

"I have great memories of the Rio Open," the 36-year-old former world No 7 said in comments published on the official Rio Open website.

"I had a very special week in 2018, with many victories and a lot of support from the Brazilian public. Brazil is a country with which I identify a lot. I can't wait to return and, who knows, maybe have another magical week."

The clay-court event will be held at the Brazilian Jockey Club in Rio de Janeiro from February 15 to 23.

Verdasco is one of the most experienced players on the men's professional circuit, having been a part of three winning Davis Cup teams for Spain. He has won 23 singles titles since turning professional in 2001.

Other players to already commit to the 2020 Rio Open include Austria's world No 4 Dominic Thiem and eighth-ranked Italian Matteo Berrettini.