23 October 2009 / AP, AUCKLAND
Former world No.3 David Nalbandian is expected to return to the ATP tennis circuit at January’s Heineken Open, ending a nine-month layoff due to hip surgery, tournament director Richard Palmer said on Thursday.
“Nalbandian is a quality player who has something special in his game as witnessed by his Grand Slam record of having reached a final and several semifinals,” Palmer said. “He’s the sort of player who has the ability to really challenge for the Heineken Open title and get back into the top 10.” Nalbandian, who has dropped to No. 20 in the rankings, has the chance to retain the Heineken Open, from Jan. 11-16, for Argentina. Compatriot Juan Martin del Potro, the US Open champion, won the tournament last year but is not returning to defend his title.