DAVID NALBANDIAN
Biography of a Warrior

David Nalbandian was born in Unquillo, Cordoba, Argentina, on January 1, 1982.
Since he was a child, he showed passion for sports and adventure, always running after his brothers. He would spend his time playing soccer, tennis, basketball, doing karate, horseback riding and swimming. He would also go to the hills to enjoy the thrill of watching the rally cars. His passion for tennis began on a court in Rio Ceballos, a town near Unquillo, where his uncles played. They drove David’s brothers, Javier and Dario, to practice the sport who by that time, David was always trying to imitate. Then one day he was handed a racquet and has never put it down since.
At the age of 12, David Nalbandian was already an up-and-coming talent and enjoyed the top ranking in Argentina for his category.
During his career in the junior circuit, David’s performance was outstanding and he quickly became one of the hopes in world tennis. He was the world champion in Japan at the age of 14 and he won the US Open in 1998 against Roger Federer.
In 1999 he reached the final in the Roland Garros tournament. His achievements would not have been possible without the unconditional support of his family because his parents, brothers and even his friends worked hard to finance the expenses of his participation in these tournaments.

David first began playing tennis on that court with his brothers Javier and Dario.

At the age of 12, David Nalbandian was already an up-and-comer, and he was at the top of the rankings in Argentina in his category. The talent and potential he began to show on the courts made Guillermo Vilas, the greatest Argentine tennis player in history, notice him, and he invited David to the tennis school he was starting. During his career in the junior circuit, David played impeccably, becoming one of the promises of world tennis. He was the world champion at the age of 14 and he won the US Open in 1998 against Roger Federer.
In 1999 he reached the final in the Roland Garros where he was beaten by his fellow compatriot Guillermo Coria, with whom he would go on to win the Wimbledon doubles that same year.


His Beginnings as Professional and his Quick Rise to the Top
His Triumph in the Circuit
A Lion in the Davis Cup

HIS PASSION FOR SPORTS AND ADVENTURE

Apart from tennis, David has other hobbies that he loves. Rally car racing is one of those passions that he has had since he was a child and it is one that he shares with his family and friends. This love for Rally led him and his friend Marcos Ligato, a rally car driver, to launch the Tango Rally Team. His team competes in the World Rally in the production category and also in the Argentine Rally.
David often gets into racing cars and likes to feel the adrenaline of speed, leading him to debut as a driver in the Master Rally in Andalgala, Catamarca province (Argentina) in 2007.
He is also a soccer enthusiast, both on and off the field—he likes to play and is also a big fan of the River Plate team.
Everything that has to do with nature entices David. He loves to go fishing especially if he is with friends.
Adrenaline and adventure have led him to face new challenges in all kinds of activities. For example, he went bungee jumping in Vienna, leaping from the 152 meter high Danube Tower and swam with sharks in Melbourne, Australia.
Polo is another of his favorites and he closely follows La Dolfina polo team. Golf is one of the other activities that he enjoys and often plays.
Since he became widely known in the world sports, he has been encouraged to leave Unquillo and move to Buenos Aires. However, he has never accepted because what he values most is in his hometown—his family and friends with whom he finds the happiness, peace and love that he needs in his life.