David Nalbandian. The Argentine is one of the best ball strikers on the ATP Tour and can beat anyone but that's only when he's actually fit enough to get behind the ball. Wasn't it just the end of last season when David defeated Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal twice and Novak Djokovic to win the Paris Indoors and Madrid?
And based on the "athletic prowess" he showed in his pathetic 4-6, 2-6, 4-6 first round loss to Canadian Frank Dancevic, he'll need to hit the weight room or psych couch stat.
But the former Wimbledon finalist gave nothing in his post-match presser but nastiness and indifference. Check it:
Q. What were your expectations coming in?
DAVID NALBANDIAN: Much better than this, for sure.
Q. Physically you're fine? There was no problem with that? Did you feel your preparation was good?
DAVID NALBANDIAN: Well, not a hundred percent, but...
Q. In what way?
DAVID NALBANDIAN: Injuries.
Q. What's the injury?
DAVID NALBANDIAN: I can't tell you.
Q. Why?
DAVID NALBANDIAN: I have to?
Q. Just interested. No.
DAVID NALBANDIAN: All right.
Q. Do you prefer not to talk about your injuries? Are you worried that it will sound like you're making excuses, or...
DAVID NALBANDIAN: There's no reason to talk for.
Q. Did the injury hamper you on court?
DAVID NALBANDIAN: I already asked you that one.
Q. You seemed quite flat emotionally. Did you feel like that, or was it a physical thing?
DAVID NALBANDIAN: Maybe both, yeah.
Q. Were you flat mentally because of the physical problem?
DAVID NALBANDIAN: It's hard to tell which is first and which is second.
Q. You're known for going deep into Grand Slams. You haven't gone deep into a Grand Slam for quite a while now.
DAVID NALBANDIAN: Yeah, that's one of my goals, and I couldn't made it.
Q. So what will you do next?
DAVID NALBANDIAN: The hard court season in U.S.
Q. Do you expect to be fit again relatively quickly?
DAVID NALBANDIAN: I don't know. We will try.
Q. No Olympic Games?
DAVID NALBANDIAN: Si.
Q. How would you actually summarize this disappointment? How disappointed are you today?
DAVID NALBANDIAN: I already asked that one.
Q. In the sense of overall.
DAVID NALBANDIAN: (No response.)
Ugly loss, ugly attitude David.
(image via AP)
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Nalbandian on the fast track road to tennis nowhere
Labels: David Nalbandian, media, player quotes, tennis, Wimbledon
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Could also be a language barrier thing--that, combined with a disappointing loss, might have made him sound uninterested or unmotivated even if that's not really the case. But he has had a disappointing year thus far. I hope he gets it together, because I really like him.
ReplyDeletei really like his game and he has the best double-fisted backhand. but i think he relies on his talent too much and at this level it's not enough.
ReplyDeletehe looked really out of shape here, maybe due to these 'injuries' he eluded to but his fitness and focus have always been suspect. not the most professional baller around they say.
it's really disappointing because he can beat anyone out there and challenge for every Slam when he's committed.
David Nalbandian wins the French press's "lemon" award (every year?) for being a BIG sourpuss. I guess this is no different.
ReplyDeleteI thought it was interesting to see him rooting for his compatriout Eddie Schwank today and even more interesting that Nalby's bro is Eddie's coach (maybe Nalby should hire him - Ed seems to be playing better.)
He is always like that during interviews.... hateful.
ReplyDeleteWhatever. He doesn't have to talk if he's too disappointed.
ReplyDeleteI find it extremely interesting that when a male tennis player is clearly overweight it's referred to as a 'loss of conditioning'. Of course, there must be a host of psychological reasons behind this.
ReplyDeleteHowever, an overweight female tennis player is subjected to snide roastings by the media. She is told she has indulged in too much Christmas pudding (Capriati Aussie Open '02) or has a photo taken of her backside (Williams Aussie Open '06). No one spectulates what the "issue" is.