David Nalbandian in a different rally now
Done with his “job” on the pPro tennis circuit, David Nalbandian is now testing his skills as a car racer by competing in Argentina’s national rally championship.
Done with his “job” on the pPro tennis circuit, David Nalbandian is now testing his skills as a car racer by competing in Argentina’s national rally championship.
Coming from the Argentine city of Cordoba, where rally race is a tradition, it was not surprising that Nalbandian was struck by the diverse challenges that rallies throw at drivers.
After bidding adieu to the pro tennis circuit in 2013, the 34-year-old Argentine is now testing his own skills at rally races. “Racing in Argentina is great, it’s different than tennis. It’s a novel kind of experience. I am enjoying, having fun. I always liked rallying. I always say I am a rally fan. I race in Argentina nationals,” Nalbandian, the only Argentine to reach semi-finals or better at all Grand Slams, said.
Nalbandian was here at the Service Park for the Finland round of the World rally Championship, where his close friend Marcos Ligot is competing in the WRC 2.
It was in partnership with Ligot that he established a rally team Tango Rally Team and also competed in the Coppa Maxi Rally in 2014.
The Argentine though made it clear that he does not aspire to be a professional rally driver. “Tennis was my job and racing is hobby. It’s very different. I don’t have pressure here. I am learning and trying to do as best but not as a professional,” he said.
“I watched the rally in mountains for four-five years, really liked it. Motorsport is different, it’s on a gravel, snow and tarmac. It is different from the first to second stage. Everything can change all the time that’s why it is very difficult,” he said.