New Interview and Photo

(Nestor Garcia for clarin.com; click to enlarge)

It's been a while since we've had a new photo of David... So here's what he looks like now. What he looked like, to be precise, when he sat down with Marcelo Maller from Clarin at the Vilas Club to have lunch (chicken and vegetables plus some sparkling mineral water, as the article specifies) and talk. Here's the interview:

Q: Getting approval from your doctor Cotorro for the way your recovery is going, was that a boost for your state of mind?

David: Actually, we thought that everything would go well. Angel [Ruiz-Cotorro] came to me and said he thought I'm doing better than expected, [having regained] significant muscle mass. We are on track, but that doesn't mean that I will return soon.

Q: And how do you feel?

David: I'm far from being able to play again because there's still some discomfort. But in daily life, if I don't do anything strange like skating, I'm perfectly fine.

Q: As time passes, do you make any plans? Do you see yourself returning to the tennis court?

David: No, I'm still far from being able to return to the tennis court, and that should keep you from asking more of questions like that. I cannot even say when I'll start training because I'll have to do it little by little, 20 minutes one day, then half an hour on the next. But I know that the goals are still the same I've had before. I think that I'll enjoy coming back and I that will be ready to compete at the highest level.

Q: You have followed Hewitt's matches, who had the same surgery and plays at a good level.

David: There are several players. And each is different, everyone has different things to deal with. It makes you happy to see him return and play well because he had surgery that was similar to mine. But when I come back I don't know if I'm going to be like him, better, or worse.

Q: Do you train more now than before?

David: Now, I'm doing a different kind of training. I swim a lot, I cycle and that's a good basis for what is coming.

Q: Is there a date for your return?

David: No, no, there's no date for my return, yet. I will start to play tennis in a month, little by little, without haste and without hurry.

Q: Are you now more the son, the friend, or you are not doing anything?

David: You wouldn't believe all the things I do. Three or four times a week I do double shifts at my swimming pool, gym and rehabilitation, so I spend "a lot of time" training. I had time during the first month, now I'm doing a lot more work. Obviously, I'm free during the weekends and I'm here with my family and friends. I will enjoy and make the most of those things I can't do when I'm on the Tour. There are six months still ahead and we have to take it easy.

Q: If you were an ordinary tennis fan, what would you think about David Nalbandian?

David: The same things I always say. That he's a guy who is dedicated to his job and in his free time does things he likes.

Then, after a few minutes of posing for a picture, a classic question from David:
- Aren't you?