Retired tennis star David Nalbandian has shared details of his playing career as he reminisces.
He disclosed that he played many key games with injuries. The star, who retired four years back, revealed that he played the 2004 French Open semis with injury.
He defeated the then top ranked players in Gustavo Kuerten and Marat Safin on the route to the last four but his injuries prevailed as he succumbed 6-3, 7-6(5), 6-0 against Gaston Gaudio.
“I played with a torn abdomen. But I think that Gaston was playing very well, and especially on the clay, a surface which always affects me more,” he said.
He had reached the final in Rome and was expected to replicate such at the Grand Slam event but he failed to. He had to take a two months break after that.
Nalbandian added that he had played through injury even before then. He cited the 2003 US Open semi against Andy Roddick as another. He claims the injuries slowed him down from reaching as much Grand Slam finals in his career.
“I played with a torn abdominal against Roddick. Also, in that same match, I broke a bone on my hand.”
He was forced to retire at age 35 in 2013, claiming his body was too sore and the shoulder injury in 2013 the last straw. He lifted 11 titles in his career, and reached the 2002 Wimbledon final.
On his questionable commitment during his days, the player said the “adrenaline that you find on court you do not find anywhere else.” The father of two says he was as committed as much, adding that now he does not “miss tennis.”
“Life is in stages and I feel it is a stage already closed. Today, it is another stage,” he ended.