"I AM ARMENIAN AND WE ARE A NATION OF FIGHTERS"
by Seda Stepanyan
Armenian Reporter
October 21, 2008
Armenia
David Nalbandian at a press briefing in Yerevan. Photolure
Yerevan – David Nalbandian said these words during a press conference
in Yerevan on October 2. The professional tennis player, who is
ranked 7th in the world, arrived in Armenia on the invitation of
Argentinian-Armenian investor Eduardo Eurnekian. On October 2,
Mr. Nalbandian gave master classes to young Armenian tennis players
and then played a friendly exhibition game with Armenia’s top lawn
tennis player Harutyun Sofyan.
The renowned tennis player said that he always dreamed of coming to
Armenia but there was never enough time because of his extremely tight
schedule. He will be in Armenia for three days but hopes that he will
be able to travel to his "first" homeland more often after finishing
his career in professional tennis. "I have two homelands and Armenia
is the first one. I am proud to be able to be here" said Nalbandian.
During the press conference, Mr. Nalbandian recalled that he won his
first championship at 12 years old and devoted his victory to his
family, which included his father Norberto (deceased), mother Alda,
and two older brothers Dario and Javier, who also play tennis.