TMS - MADRID

October 16, 2002

David Nalbandian

Q. How do you feel? It was quite close. You know each other, are the same nationality. Was it tense for both of you?

DAVID NALBANDIAN: Yes, it's always difficult to play against somebody from your own country, but you try to play your best for yourself. He played well. I played well, I think.

DAVID NALBANDIAN: It was okay. Well, when they made an overrule on the first breakpoint, I didn't find it very fair.

DAVID NALBANDIAN: Yes (smiling).

DAVID NALBANDIAN: A little bit of everything. I'm a human being. I have my victories and defeats. You're not always in top form. You go through different stages in your life. I played in some tournaments that I wasn't that motivated, and others I had to lose because sometimes you win, sometimes you lose.

DAVID NALBANDIAN: Yeah, I entered the Davis Cup quite injured physically. Well, the team lost. If I win, and the team loses, the victory is not so useful. The Davis Cup is a team. If one wins, we all win. If one loses, we all lose. But it was a pity.

DAVID NALBANDIAN: Yes, I hope I will play again in the future.

DAVID NALBANDIAN: Well, I kept on playing. He is coming off of an injury. He hadn't been playing for a while. He didn't have good rhythm. He lost his temper a little bit and the matched slipped away from him.

DAVID NALBANDIAN: Yeah, you feel it. Also the atmosphere was a bit tense, but I think it's normal after not playing for a long time. Well, all in all, I think he played very well. He's going to improve again.

DAVID NALBANDIAN: Well, it's different because we train together, we spend time together. When you have to play against him, it's a bit difficult. Each one of us tries to play well.

DAVID NALBANDIAN: I try to win every match.

DAVID NALBANDIAN: Well, you can always improve. It's difficult to measure if you are better or worse than before. I think I have many things to improve. I have a long way to go.