David Nalbandian
Thursday, 22 January, 2004

D. NALBANDIAN/F. Mayer 6-1, 6-0, 6-3

An interview with:DAVID NALBANDIAN

Q. Another quick match for you. Are you playing the best tennis of your life
around now?

DAVID NALBANDIAN: Well, I think I'm play -- today I play much better than the
other day. But actually was very quick. Is good because is a little hot and
five sets. When you win in three sets, is very good for my body. 

Q. When you went to Spain about the wrist, it's a big trip to go to Spain,
then he says, "No problem." You must have been pretty worried.

DAVID NALBANDIAN: Is going to be worse if the doctor tells me is bad. 

Q. You must have been worried to go quite that far without an opinion?

DAVID NALBANDIAN: No, no, no. All December I didn't feel pain. So for me was
very good. But I didn't see the doctor, so I have to see the doctor first for
one guy who study. 

Q. He's the one that did the surgery?

DAVID NALBANDIAN: Yeah. 

Q. You felt a little bit of something two weeks ago when you were playing?

DAVID NALBANDIAN: No, nothing. 

Q. It was just a check?

DAVID NALBANDIAN: Just check, yeah. 

Q. Is this the best form you've ever been in? Could David Nalbandian now beat
David Nalbandian any other day?

DAVID NALBANDIAN: I think every day is different. Every day you feel different.
Every day you work different for be better.

Right now I think I'm very good. Always I trying to do my best. If I can, I
win quickly - better. If not, I have to run a little bit more.

But I think I feel so good this year. This tournament I feel great. 

Q. Do you feel any closeness to Sargis Sargsian?

DAVID NALBANDIAN: Yeah, we talk.

Q. When you see him playing, you're hoping he wins?

DAVID NALBANDIAN: Yeah. 

Q. Who were your heroes growing up in Argentina, not just tennis, but soccer
or anything?

DAVID NALBANDIAN: Maradona.

Q. We've heard of him.

DAVID NALBANDIAN: Of course. And Fangio.

Q. Your confidence at the moment, David, is it on a high after what you did
at Kooyong last week and the way you're now playing here?

DAVID NALBANDIAN: Yeah. I feel so good. I work so hard all December, so I
think I'm ready to play good enough today. I think I can play better also. 

Q. What kind of training did you do in December? What kind of work did you
do, your preparation?

DAVID NALBANDIAN: Same preparation than other ones. Well, not the same, but
just work (smiling). 

Q. Your fitness, is it just about right now, top fitness?

DAVID NALBANDIAN: Yeah. Yeah, I'm thinking I feel so good. I work so hard all
December and some days of January. I think I feel great.

Q. You could play Wayne Ferreira or David Sanchez in the next round. Have you
played either of those two much?

DAVID NALBANDIAN: I don't remember with David Sanchez. I'm not very sure, but
I play with Wayne one time three years ago here, and I lost in four sets. 

Q. The match you played against Roddick in New York, did you learn anything in
particular about yourself from playing that match or your tennis from playing
that match?

DAVID NALBANDIAN: I won more than what I lost.

Q. You won more points, I'm sorry?

DAVID NALBANDIAN: Just myself. I (inaudible) myself. That's great.

Q. What were the physical problems for you in that match? Was it stomach?

DAVID NALBANDIAN: Yes. The wrist, of course, and abdominals.

Q. And it got worse as the match went on?

DAVID NALBANDIAN: Yeah, of course. I started playing with a strain of
abdominals. 3-All in the first set, I get injured in the wrist. 

Q. Have you watched the tape of that match?

DAVID NALBANDIAN: No, not at all. Some points. 

Q. The line call?

DAVID NALBANDIAN: Of course (smiling).