And that's why this interview is definitely - different.
(I'd like to thank tennisace for finding this one. As I certainly wouldn't have discovered it myself. Not in the "woman" section...)
David Nalbandian
by Carola Birgin
David swam three thousand metres today. He also trained on court for a couple of hours. He rigorously carried out his workout routine. He's tired. He keeps repeating that almost like a mantra. It's a state (of body and soul) he knows by heart. It came into his life early on, to stay until today. Pushing his physical limits has been a part of his daily life ever since he was 8 years old. "You learn to live with this feeling that you can't give any more. It can be okay for a couple of days but then, well, the fatigue starts mounting up and it turns into a constant state," Nalbandian says without complaining. At the same time, he's currently sidelined. In May he had surgery for a hip injury that wouldn't allow him to go on playing. With the same discipline which saw him climb to #14 in the ranking [apparently, he was ranked 14 at the time of the interview], he now approaches his rehabilitation: meticulous, without skipping any steps or rushing the process. And now there is a date for his return, in December, in San Juan. An exhibition event where he'll play alongside Gaston Gaudio, Guillermo Cañas and Nicolas Massu. He says that he's relaxed, waiting for it. "When I feel one hundred percent recovered, I'll start being nervous but not right now."
At the moment, his life is very different from what it's usually like. He doesn't travel. He doesn't play matches. He only trains (very hard as usual, of course), sees his doctors and dedicates himself a little more to his private life. If there's something like a scarce commodity among the incalculable fortune of David Nalbandian, then it's time.
Q: What has changed the most for you in these months of rehabilitation?
David: Having time.
Q: Time for what?
David: To do things without being in a rush. To visit my cousins, uncles or friends more often and not have to do it, being in a hurry. And to spend more time on my foundation (www.fundacionnalbandian.org.ar), taking a closer look at our projects, which are primarily about the integration of disabled persons in sports. Apart from that, having time has helped me seeing what's the reality in this country a little more. In the maelstrom [of the Tour] you lose your sense of dimension.
Q: Are you interested in politics?
David: I care because it's about the good of the people. But not much beyond that. I try to stay informed, I read. It's the country we live in and it's the country I represent it when I play abroad.
Q: While you're "on stand-by", have you tried not doing anything?
David: No, I try to make good use of the time I have. I'm not one for doing nothing. Sometimes, I go to the local bar with some friends for a drink. That's as much entertainment as I get.
Q: You've got your headquarter in Unquillo, right?
David: Exactly.
Q: And you still live with your mom?
David: Exactly.
Q: Why haven't you moved out yet?
David: I have no reason to leave, living with her is perfect for me. We always eat together, she's an incredibly good cook. My father died in 2004 and I didn't get to spend much time with him. I'll spend time with my mom for as long as I have the chance.
Q: Do your brothers live with her as well?
David: No. They were nudged into moving out.
Q: Do you think you're safe from being nudged by Victoria (Bosch, his partner)?
David: We've been together for eleven years and so far it's going well.
David: She accepts that without any complaints?
David: Yes, Vicky is a phenomenon. We have a very good relationship and we've had it for ages. Imagine that we started being together when I was 16 and she 19. I've told her before, not until you learn to cook as well as my mom - she doesn't want to learn!
Q: You're 27, don't you feel tempted to at least go and live alone?
David: Not at all, because I spend so much time alone. When I travel, I'm alone. When I'm home, I want to be around my family.
Q: Do you do something for your looks?
David: No, I'm a mess, it's a challenge.
Q: Who challenges you and why?
David: My girlfriend challenges me. Because my face is always red, my skin is always dry. I never use skin cream.
Q: Does she tell you what she thinks about your career?
David: No, luckily, she doesn't care. And I wouldn't let her. She is a pharmacist and doesn't know anything about tennis. And I don't tell her what I think about what she does.
Q: What do you do together?
David: We go out for something to eat, to the movies. Well, sometimes I fall asleep during the movie. A little mishap. I'm always tired.
Q: It sounds very interesting to have a boyfriend like that who's always tired.
David: You wouldn't believe it... We do lots of things. We go out all the time.
Q: Do you like buying things?
David: Sometimes. But I don't have the time to use all the things that I buy - it's a disaster! And I think it's boring to walk around for two hundred hours without buying anything, the way women do it. What I really like are watches.
Q: Time!
David: Yes, you see, I buy several and I use them. I also love cars, I have a couple of fun ones.
Q: Do you share them?
David: My mom uses them.
Q: What about your girlfriend?
David. No, she doesn't.
Q: Why is there a difference?
David: My mom is of the same blood as I am. No, I'm not joking. I'll offer it, but my girlfriend doesn't dare to accept.
Q: Do you believe in marriage?
David: Why? We are in the 21st century.
Q: Can you imagine starting a family?
David: Yeah, sure, but not yet. I don't want to be missing my children while I'm away playing tournaments or for that to distract me from my career. Some [players] do it and it works for them. I don't want that.
Q: Tennis players are famous for being metrosexuals [I guess what she means is sex symbols], how do you deal with being besieged by groupies?
David: I deal with that very quietly. I'm in my village, far away from the rest of the world.
Q: Does having female fans flatter you?
David: On the street, there are ladies and even guys, who'll see me and say nice things to me and that is satisfying for me. They make you see that you have achieved more than just winning matches.
Q: Come on! I wasn't talking about those ladies or the kids who admire you as a tennis player but the girls who like you as a man. You're far away from the rest of the world in your town but does that mean it's irrelevant whether you're an attractive guy or not?
David: Well, everyone likes that, it's a nice feeling. Human beings want to be liked by others.
Q: Do you display the same ambition you show on court in other areas of your life?
David: On court, I'm more ambitious than anywhere else. That is what I devote myself to and it's what I like.
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