David Nalbandian, who retired four years ago, says he had a decent chance to get into the final at the 2004 French Open, but was injured in the semifinals.
The Argentine had reached the final in Rome just before the French Open, and during the tournament he beat two No. 1s—Gustavo Kuerten and Marat Safin. But during the semis against fellow Argentine Gaston Gaudio, Nalbandian’s body broke down and he lost, 6-3, 7-6 (5), 6-0.
"I played with a torn abdomen,” Nalbandian told Radio Uno. “But I think that Gaston was playing very well, and especially on the clay, a surface which always affects me more.”
Nalbandian was out for two months after that.
In addition, he recalled injury affecting him during another Grand Slam semifinal—at the 2003 U.S. Open, where he competed against American Andy Roddick. They played a classic five-setter, but Nalbandian said he couldn’t move at the end.
“I played with a torn abdominal against Roddick,” Nalbandian said. “Also, in that same match, I broke a bone on my hand.”
