David: "Impossible to return before End of this Year"

While the Argentine team is getting ready to contest their quarterfinal tie at Ostrava, David spoke to the radio station Del Plata about what it feels like, having to watch Davis Cup on TV, about the current state of his rehabilitation and when he'll return to play.

"It makes me very angry, having to watch Davis Cup from outside."

"It is difficult for me to watch the Davis Cup from the outside. It's not what I like but I'm in a situation that makes me miss important things. It's the first time I'm being sidelined for a longer period of time and I have to accept it."

Nalbandian said he's "doing well" and that his recovery is expected to continue developing according to plan.

"I prefer to be conservative. My doctor Angel Ruiz-Cotorro will arrive here next week from Spain to assess my recovery."

Nalbandian admitted that the rapid recovery of Lleyton Hewitt, who also underwent hip surgery, "encouraged" him to think positively. But he also stressed that "it is impossible that I'll return to the circuit before the end of the year."

"A month ago I got rid of the crutches. But I cannot run yet, or execute any forced or unnatural movements. Which makes it impossible to play again on the Tour before the end of the year."

(Telam, quoted on several Argentine newspaper sites)


- This is new. David explicitly saying he won't be back until next season is new. Until now, he didn't rule out playing, or at least trying to play, a possible Davis Cup semi or final. Looks like in the meantime, he has had to accept that it's not going to happen.
Well, so the next season it is.
We'll wait for him.