The Croatian Ivan Ljubicic once confessed that sometimes when he went to matches, although he was a consolidated Top 10 player, people still confused him with a coach or with an ex- player. The case of Tommy Robredo is quite similar. Although Number 7 in the ATP rankings, the Spaniard is hardly in the Top 20 of the charismatic and marketable players. Nevertheless, he did become more well known (here) after his engagement to Gisela Dulko. They split up in the middle of year, shortly before Gise began to keep company with the Chilean Fernando González.

Yesterday, in the Press Conference for the 2nd year of the Vilas Cup, Tommy remembered Dulko. "I really like to come to Argentina. I have a life related to this country, with my ex- trainer (Mariano Monachesi) and my ex- fiancèe... ", he said smiling, while Agustín Calleri sat by his side. Robredo changed the subject at this stage, and began to speak of his great 2006, in which he reached the Top 10 for the first time and qualified for the Masters.

- Did you hope to have such a good year?

Obviously - yes. Everything that I set out to accomplish this season I managed to obtain. First I wanted to get into the Top 10 and I did it. Soon after I wanted to win a Masters Series and I did it in Hamburg, and, finally,I wanted to qualify for the Masters and I obtained this too.

- To have played in the Masters clearly held up your holiday plans?

So? By entering the Masters, I never had and vacation, but that is the price that you have to pay and I do not regret it. What matters to me is to continue getting triumphs.

-Did you watch the Davis Cup Final on TV?

No, I was in Belgium and there was no television coverage. If Spain had got to the Final we would all have been like crazy people, but this one was not so important to me. However, I do know that athough Russia won, both deserved the title.

- You were a DC champion with Spain in the 2004. What is the secret?

I don't know if there is a secret. The important thing is that we all had good relations with each other, - like this present team in Argentina. Then it will happen.

- At the end of the year, what do you think of the Argentine tennis players?

I believe that Nalbandian had a very good year, also Calleri and Acasuso. Coria and Gaudio did not have such a good year, but this was partly because of their previous good seasons. You pay a price - it is difficult to obtain continuity.

You can view the article (in Spanish) here

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