David Nalbandian interview for Down the T

[Moxie]

David Nalbandian has agreed to answer a few questions for us. I promised to submit by tomorrow. Let me know if there's anything you'd like me to ask.

 

[Kieran]

Great stuff, team! :clap

Oh, now I hope Cali has been sent an email on this, in case he doesn't see it in time. I believe he deserves to place a three questions - seriously - as Daveed's greatest advocate...

 

[Moxie]

I emailed him.

 

[calitennis127]

I emailed him.

Okay, I'll have some questions shortly.

 

[Kieran]

Good stuff.

I'd like to ask him if he thinks he'd be interested in coaching or Davis Cup captain.

Failing that, does he think his best shot at a slam came too soon: Wimbledon 2002?

 

[brokenshoelace]

1- Does he have any regrets with regards to not winning a slam?

2- Most memorable wins/losses.

 

[Kieran]

Long term prognosis on his hips might be nice to ask. I hope he's not walking like he just got off a horse in 30 years...

 

[shawnbm]

Describe the difference in playing Federer and Nadal in their primes from your vantage point. How was it on the court?

 

[tented]

Describe the difference in playing Federer and Nadal in their primes from your vantage point. How was it on the court?

That's a great question, Shawn. Well done.

 

[Denis]

1. Who has/had the greatest backhand of all time?

2. Will he become Davis Cup Captain one day? Does he aspire to?

3. Who did he enjoy playing the most?

4. What did he enjoy doing most between matches when on tour?

 

[brokenshoelace]

As someone who excelled from the baseline and had the same approach on all surfaces, it'd be interesting to know about the adjustments he had to make from one surface to another, how he dealt with it, and how other players did...

 

[Front242]

Great job getting an interview with Nalbandian! Some excellent questions already posed and this one isn't meant to be critical but it kind of is..does he regret not working on his serve more as he had such a solid baseline game that surely improving his serve would've made a huge difference. Cutting down on double faults for one thing. He'd have won a lot more matches he had no business losing if not for the serve many times.

 

[BalaryKar]

Which is his favorite grand slam? Though he reached Wimbledon final, with his awesome backhand, does he believe he would be more closer to winning FO?

 

[kskate2]

I would like to know if he is open to a comeback when he is healed and healthy. Has a Tommy Haas or anyone else on tour inspired him to keep his options open as far as returning to the tour?

 

[tented]

- What are your thoughts on the slowing down of the surfaces, especially Wimbledon, and eliminating carpet?

- Leading up to your Madrid and Paris Masters wins in 2007, you lost within the first 3 rounds of every hard-court tournament. What changes did you make to then go on and win these consecutive Masters, which included beating Federer, Nadal, and Djokovic?

 

[Moxie]

I've been doing some research in the Argentine press, and was reminded that he and Nadal are set to play 2 exhibitions in Argentina next month. That's set to be his farewell to tennis.

 

[calitennis127]

Okay, I finally have a chance to type these up.

A lot coming shortly....

 

[Moxie]

Okay, I finally have a chance to type these up.

A lot coming shortly....

Excellent. I want to put it all together tonight, and translate the final questions.

Everyone should feel free to vote for questions they are interested by "liking" them. That will help prioritize.

 

[calitennis127]

Among others:

1) It has been well-documented that one of your closest friends on tour over the course of your career was David Ferrer. He has had the two best years of his career at ages 30 and 31, and he looks as strong and as fit as ever right now. This year he has attained his highest career ranking as the world #3. He has reached these heights with week-to-week consistency and excellent fitness. What do you think of what he has done ages 29-31? Do you think that if it weren't for your awful hip and shoulder injuries you could have gotten back to world #3 the last two seasons?

1b) Federer was also able to get back to world #1 at age 30, when he won 4 MS events, 3 500 events, the World Tour Finals, and Wimbledon. Tommy Haas and Mikhail Youzhny are still in the Top 15, with Haas being 35 and Youzhny 31. Berdych has had one of his best seasons at age 28. Wawrinka and Tipsarevic have had their best career seasons at 28. Then of course there is Ferrer, who has had his best seasons at 30 and 31. What is your opinion on how players increasingly seem to be playing their best in their late 20s and more and more in their early 30s?

2) After your run in Madrid and Paris at the end of 2007, was your goal to be world #1 in 2008, or were you kind of apathetic about the possibility? Many people were suggesting that you would make a run at #1 at the time.

3) How much did your hip injury really bother you in 2008, and when did it first start? Is it true that you very nearly pulled out of the 2008 Bercy final against Tsonga because the pain was so severe?

4) Federer was quoted as saying after you beat him in the 2007 Paris Masters "I don't know what the hell he has been doing at all of the other tournaments this season", talking about you of course. So, let's have you answer Roger's question. What the hell were you doing at all of the other tournaments that season? :huh:

 

[Didi]

In all seriousness - Being a peer of Federer and having played against both generations of players, what do you think was the stronger era and which one did you enjoy the most competing against? Generation Federer with Federer, teenager Nadal, Hewitt, Safin, Roddick, Ferrero, Coria, Ljubicic, Davydenko, Ferrer and yourself etc. OR the current one with Djokovic, Murray, Nadal, Del Potro, Tsonga, Berdych, Gasquet, Wawrinka etc.?