And if that wasn't bad enough, he's now also in doubt for the Australian Open.
"I am very disappointed not to be able to make my comeback this week at the Heineken Open. I was very much looking forward" to playing in Auckland once again, said Nalbandian, currently ranked 63.According to David's official site, he's not ruling out playing the Australian Open just yet, though of course he'll have to see how things evolve with his injury.
"I didn't play much tennis for eight months so it is natural to suffer some small injuries. Although I am disappointed at the moment, I remain confident and positive about making a full-time comeback to the tour soon," he added.
Tournament director Richard Palmer said similar abdominal injuries take 10 to 15 days to heal. The Australian Open, the season's opening Grand Slam, is due to start on Monday. (Source: AFP)
In any case, David's withdrawal also means that he'll lose 250 ranking points next Monday (when his points for winning Sydney last year come off) and that for the first time since July 2001 he'll be ranked outside of the Top 100.
Of course I'll try my best to keep up with the latest news about David and his chances of playing the Australian Open...
Update
According to this article by Argentine news agency Telam, citing David's spokesman Bernardo Ballero as their source, David has a "6mm tear in his abdominal area that causes him a lot of pain especially when serving" and it's "almost certain that he won't be able to play the Australian Open" though there's another MRI scan scheduled for today.
This is the only photo of David at Auckland I've been able to find...
(Brett Phibbs/NZHerald)
10 comments:
Aaaaargh!
(Sorry, that's all I can think of to say to start with.) How disappointing.
Let's hope David gets over this quickly and doesn't have any more setbacks. Do we hope that he will be able to play the Australian Open? Or worry that he would be risking himself if he does?
What a shame!
I was waiting for David for a long time! I hope he will be in a good shape soon. Watch Nalbandian's tennis improve my confidence in tennis. I love how he plays.
As much as I'd like to see him play the AO, I'd rather he wouldn't if it's going to aggravate his injury but we shall wait and see.
Being ranked outside the top 100 is going to make things tougher than it already is but I'm confident he can climb back up if he can get healthy and play a full season.
And my God, he deserves to catch a break at somepoint.
BAD NEWS:
According to this:
http://www.elpatagonico.net/index.php?item=viewlast&ref=ultimas&id=59933&sec=dep
DAVID IS ALMOST OUT OF AUSTRALIA. In that articule, his chief of press, his spokesman (don't know if that's the term, sorry) said that he has a TEAR (DESGARRO) OF 6 MM in his abdominal muscle.
Poor Dave, the best for him
These injuries are common when a player (of any sport) is comming back after a lot time of not playing. But this is worst that what we thought at the beginning.
I hope this articule is wrong, but their source is David's spokesperson...
Sorry but is ALMOST CONFIRMED: THE INJURY IS FROM 6 TO 9 MM. EXCEPT SOME MIRACLE, HE'D BE OUT OF AUSTRALIA AND COMING BACK FOR THE TELMEX (The Argentine ATP)
Hugs for you David!
Tamar, please send him a lot of support if you can communicate to him!.
But, after this, he has protected ranking for the MS and the GS and nothing to defend. COME ON, DAVID!!!!!!!!
I've just seen the article on Telam. Bad news, indeed... Though I won't make a new post until this has been confirmed.
On a bright side, is it just the weird camera angle of that action photo Julia found of David practicing in Auckland, or does David look like he has put in some serious conditioning since the exhos in December? He looks leaner and more athletic in that photo, and it would make sense in a positive manner if all the conditioning has caught up with him a little bit. That's a nice photo!
That's true. He does look a lot better in that photo... now that I've taken a closer look at it.
he is out of australia according to canchallena and fuebuena; its a pitty.
http://www.canchallena.com/1220725-nalbandian-regresa-al-pais-y-se-baja-de-australia
its says that david is returning to argentina, and is out of australian open.
Thanks leandro. Looks like I have to make a new post now...
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