David Nalbandian interview for Down the T

[brokenshoelace]

I feel like Cali asked 12 different variations of the same question: Why did you underachieve?

Might as well ask one question about that. Something like: "You are of often brought up as one of the best players to never win a slam. Do you have any regrets over not being able to win one and what do you feel you needed to do for things to turn out differently?"

It's shorter, straight to the point, and omits the history lessons, long introductions, and needless follow-ups that make the questions longer than whatever answer he's going to provide. It also doesn't sound nearly as offensive. I'm all for challenging questions but we gotta be real here, we're not CNN trying to make a long feature on the guy and get inside his mind. He just agreed to answer a few questions. It's not some in depth interview, I don't think.

I do however, like Cali's first set of questions. They have more variety, touch on different topics, and are generally just more interesting, as opposed to self-serving.

PS: I'm not saying the above to provoke Cali, but we gotta be sensible here, and take into account the state of mind of the guy we're interviewing. Nalbandian has literally just retired from tennis. I highly doubt he's interested in hearing about his serving stats from whatever tournament, or worse yet, Nadal's.

 

[Moxie]

I feel like Cali asked 12 different variations of the same question: Why did you underachieve?

Might as well ask one question about that. Something like: "You are of often brought up as one of the best players to never win a slam. Do you have any regrets over not being able to win one and what do you feel you needed to do for things to turn out differently?"

It's shorter, straight to the point, and omits the history lessons, long introductions, and needless follow-ups that make the questions longer than whatever answer he's going to provide. It also doesn't sound nearly as offensive. I'm all for challenging questions but we gotta be real here, we're not CNN trying to make a long feature on the guy and get inside his mind. He just agreed to answer a few questions. It's not some in depth interview, I don't think.

I do however, like Cali's first set of questions. They have more variety, touch on different topics, and are generally just more interesting, as opposed to self-serving.

PS: I'm not saying the above to provoke Cali, but we gotta be sensible here, and take into account the state of mind of the guy we're interviewing. Nalbandian has literally just retired from tennis. I highly doubt he's interested in hearing about his serving stats from whatever tournament, or worse yet, Nadal's.

You're very right, Broken. I am trying to consolidate all the questions into the most representational of all questions. Also, I'm not interested in holding Nalbandian's feet to the fire, or embarrassing him. I think there are enough interesting questions to get him to speak interestingly about his career without having to answer for any deficiencies in his resume.

 

[Murat Baslamisli]

As opposed to asking him about specific negative moments, maybe we can ask him what HE thinks are the highest and lowest points in his career.

 

[DarthFed]

I'm sure it was brought up already, but just something like "What do you consider your greatest win" and "what was the toughest defeat? Well done on getting this interview, it will be interesting to see what he has to say.

 

[brokenshoelace]

I'm sure it was brought up already, but just something like "What do you consider your greatest win" and "what was the toughest defeat? Well done on getting this interview, it will be interesting to see what he has to say.

Yeah I mentioned that in the first page. Seems like a no-brainer of a question.

 

[calitennis127]

I feel like Cali asked 12 different variations of the same question: Why did you underachieve?

Might as well ask one question about that. Something like: "You are of often brought up as one of the best players to never win a slam. Do you have any regrets over not being able to win one and what do you feel you needed to do for things to turn out differently?"

It's shorter, straight to the point, and omits the history lessons, long introductions, and needless follow-ups that make the questions longer than whatever answer he's going to provide. It also doesn't sound nearly as offensive. I'm all for challenging questions but we gotta be real here, we're not CNN trying to make a long feature on the guy and get inside his mind. He just agreed to answer a few questions. It's not some in depth interview, I don't think.

I do however, like Cali's first set of questions. They have more variety, touch on different topics, and are generally just more interesting, as opposed to self-serving.

PS: I'm not saying the above to provoke Cali, but we gotta be sensible here, and take into account the state of mind of the guy we're interviewing. Nalbandian has literally just retired from tennis. I highly doubt he's interested in hearing about his serving stats from whatever tournament, or worse yet, Nadal's.

You're very right, Broken. I am trying to consolidate all the questions into the most representational of all questions. Also, I'm not interested in holding Nalbandian's feet to the fire, or embarrassing him. I think there are enough interesting questions to get him to speak interestingly about his career without having to answer for any deficiencies in his resume.

Just please don't cut off questions 1a and 1b. Please ask them in full with the entire preface. They not only relate to Nalbandian and his friend David Ferrer, but also the broader question of players peaking later and later, which has been a frequent point of discussion in the last couple years in tennis circles. 2 is somewhat negative but also complimentary. 3 is just inquisitive. And 4 is a fun one that also serves as a compliment - from Federer no less.

 

[calitennis127]

I feel like Cali asked 12 different variations of the same question: Why did you underachieve?

Might as well ask one question about that. Something like: "You are of often brought up as one of the best players to never win a slam. Do you have any regrets over not being able to win one and what do you feel you needed to do for things to turn out differently?"

It's shorter, straight to the point, and omits the history lessons, long introductions, and needless follow-ups that make the questions longer than whatever answer he's going to provide. It also doesn't sound nearly as offensive. I'm all for challenging questions but we gotta be real here, we're not CNN trying to make a long feature on the guy and get inside his mind. He just agreed to answer a few questions. It's not some in depth interview, I don't think.

I do however, like Cali's first set of questions. They have more variety, touch on different topics, and are generally just more interesting, as opposed to self-serving.

PS: I'm not saying the above to provoke Cali, but we gotta be sensible here, and take into account the state of mind of the guy we're interviewing. Nalbandian has literally just retired from tennis. I highly doubt he's interested in hearing about his serving stats from whatever tournament, or worse yet, Nadal's.

While I somewhat grant your point, your Slam question is simply a waste of space. He has been asked it a million times and he has always given the same vacuous, BS answers. I can tell you what you're going to hear.

My questions actually dig a little deeper into his true problems and will get him to say more than "oh, I suffered from injuries and sometimes I wasn't motivated enough and Frderer and Nadal are two of the greatest ever". That's all you're going to get. It's entirely predictable.

 

[bobvance]

Cali, are you considering a gift to Moxie for setting this up? I'm actually excited for you.

 

[DarthFed]

Also likely brought up in some context before but maybe ask him what he sees as the big differences in the game now as compared to when he first turned pro. Difference in players, styles, racquets, court speed, etc. And similar to that does he feel there will be a shift in playing style or the ideal player size (height) in the near future?

 

[calitennis127]

Cali, are you considering a gift to Moxie for setting this up? I'm actually excited for you.

Yes, my gift is known as a "thank you", which I have already expressed.

 

[Moxie]

While so many of you are around, I got the answers from Nalbandian this afternoon. Will publish by tomorrow…stay tuned!

 

[calitennis127]

I appreciate you doing this Moxie, but with the cliche lollipops you probably threw at him, he probably answered with a bunch of vacuous cliches himself.

I hope this isn't the case though.

 

[Murat Baslamisli]

Cali, as gramma once said, if you don't have anything nice to say...