(EFE)
Yesterday, David appeared at a press conference in Buenos Aires for the launch of "El partido más importante", the latest project of his foundation. (More photos from that event to follow, courtesy of Tamar.) At that press conference, he not only talked about the work of his foundation but also about his plans for his comeback. Or rather, the current state of those:
"Australia will be where the official comeback will take place because we believe that I won't be able to play anything this year. I don't think I'll be able to return at the Copa Argentina, that will be very difficult, but everything will depend on how I am by then. It would be a wonderful opportunity to get a first test at that tournament." (source: La Nacion)
As far as I know, this is the first time he has mentioned the Copa Argentina as possible opportunity, even if only a very vague one. Though here on Vamos David we have speculated about it before as an ideal testing ground. Of course, and as David says, it will have to depend on how fit he is in December. But personally, I think it's a good sign that he's now mentioning the Copa Argentina and that he's not dismissing that idea altogether.
But it will definitely be Australia where he'll make his comeback on the Tour. And the big question is - at the Australian Open or at Sydney? Those seem to be the two options. But apparently, David hasn't made that decision yet. At least, that's what this article on his official site suggests. Which would explain why there have been mixed messages about this in his last few interviews. With that article on the official site quoting him as saying that he "may play Sydney", while in the recent Telam interview (also quoted on the official site) he said the plan is to return at the Australian Open. Since then, and also at this latest press conference, his reply to the comeback question has simply been "Australia". Which could of course mean either Sydney or Melbourne. Or in other words, he obviously doesn't really know, himself. Not yet.
For my part, I hope that he will play Sydney and, if possible, also the Copa Argentina. Because I think that returning after what will by then almost exactly be a nine-month pause, and then playing your first match at a Slam in the best-of-five format (and in possibly difficult conditions) would be rather adventurous, to the say the least.
The article from La Nacion (thanks Krystle) I got the quote from ends, mentioning a "demanding test" David was scheduled to undergo yesterday at the Vilas Racquet Club "as a part of the rehabilitation plan". Could this be the final test before taking up his tennis training? In any case, it should start any day now. Let's hope all goes well and that he enjoys it. Even if he can only hit some balls, standing...
Update
A video clip with a short interview (yesterday, probably after the press conference) can be found here on clarin.com.
9 comments:
Thanks for the picture. I checked on Sydney website but it's too soon to have any player's list so I'll check again at the end of september. Luis Lobo is Copa Argentina director.....that's why it would be logical to see David playing it but it's not a good test(I mean exh. are not "for real"). I would prefer to see David playing Sydney which is a "real" tournament and it would avoid him to lose 250pts...if I'm right, his end of 2009 ATP ranking will be around 100th and 110th (519 pts?) so it would be a good idea to defend some of his Sydney points Agree with me ?
Well, I think the Copa Argentina would be a good idea because it's an exho. Simply to get some match practice, without having to think about the ranking, defending points etc.
I'd like to see him play both the Copa Argentina and Sydney before the AO, if possible. As for the Sydney entry list, my guess would be that if he decides to play Sydney he'll probably get a wild card. I'm no expert when it comes to ranking points but yeah, once the indoor season points come off, I think he'll find himself somewhere around #100.
Yes, you're right, he'll have a WC for Sydney if he wants it but it's rather strange and depressing to imagine our Nalby 100th on ATP ranking....it will not be easy to come back...he won't be seed at AO so he can meet Wawrinka on first round!!!
It's difficult to see David fall down to such a low ranking but we know that he can actually make a good comeback as long as he's recovered fully from this injury. BTW there's a link on David's forum in the TF provided by Safinafan where it says they are gonna broadcast his practice at 4:30 pm Argentina time but it's already 5 pm and the broadcast hasn't started.
There's an update about the training session and the stream in the sidebar (under Latest News). :)
But yeah, it hasn't started yet. They already said it's going to start "a little later". Whatever that means...
I didn't notice it :(
It started already, but there's no sound. Good enough for me ;)
Okay, so that was it. David's first tennis training session. :D
I guess I'll write a little something about it now...
I was just looking at MTF, and I am shocked that there's a live broadcast of his first practice session!! I mean, I find it amusing. So I guess you watched it, Julia? Looking forward to the report.
Interesting thought, that if David enters some tournaments with a wild card, he could meet a seed in the first round. To turn it around, I bet there will be a lot of seeded players hoping it won't be them!
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