Tennis: Steaks high for Argentinians

David Nalbandian is on the comeback trail after an eight-month layoff through injury. Photo / Getty Images

Argentina: where the tennis players like steak and the cows are nervous.

Auckland's beef population would best be advised to head to the other end of paddock with the arrival of David Nalbandian and Juan Monaco yesterday for the Heineken Open.

Their carnivorous love comes with the territory. The average Argentine chomps through around 68kg of beef a year, said to be the highest rate in the world. The average New Zealander scoffs just 27kg.

As vegetarians politely turn the page in horror, the Herald on Sunday can reveal the pair are up for a decent slab of sirloin every night at a favourite restaurant up town.

"When you get there you see a fridge and you see the steaks in there," says Monaco. "I look them over and say, 'gimme that one, please'. I like tucking into a sirloin. I have them every dinner if I can when I'm here, I like meat so much."

Nalbandian is also fond of slapping a slab on the barbecue when he's at home.

The pair has been practising together ahead of the tournament which starts tomorrow. That comes courtesy of having the same coach in Luis Lobo but they are also mates off the court.

An in-depth on-foot investigation revealed them beavering away on the back courts at the ASB Tennis Centre yesterday.

Monaco was using one of those handy little bungy cords, which was enabling him to stretch like a yoga instructor, Nalbandian was busy kicking a mini-football over a net on the far indoor court. A lack of security enabled a quick squizz at his co-ordination which wasn't quite that of compatriot and world footballer of the year, Lionel Messi. However, he is coming back from injury after an eight-month lay-off, so gets the benefit of the doubt.

Nalbandian has opted to take up the Heineken Open offer, initially as a wildcard but now as a direct entry into the main draw on his ranking. It comes despite his win in the Sydney International last year where a wildcard failed to eventuate once his ranking dropped because of his hip injury. Last year is the first time in seven years he's finished outside the world's top 12.

It's the third time Nalbandian has come to Auckland, having previously competed in 2002 and 2003. The 28-year-old says he's a bit underdone in his first return to an ATP tournament, having previously played exhibitions at home late last year.

"My goals are not about winning," he said. "I just want to be healthy, with no pain trying to play more matches.

"If I'm right after all that, then it's about taking out tournaments. Let's just say I want to work towards the top 10 for starters.

"My rhythm playing matches was completely gone so it was matter of getting confidence on court. I'm trying to be the good player I was because I could be into my last three years of top-level play."

His standards are high. The 2002 Wimbledon finalist is someone who has made it at least as far as the semifinals in all four majors. Nalbandian is currently No 64 in the world but the struggle to make it back has taken its toll.

He's now more aware of his vulnerability in the sport, but there have been some pluses.

"I was playing with a lot of pain, I was suffering on court, but after I made the decision to operate it was tough spending three months at home. There was no walking, I was doing nothing.

"After that I started playing and practising again which has made me happier. I enjoyed being back in Argentina, devoting time at the weekends to my family, friends and girlfriend."

Nalbandian has a tough draw first up - 2008 winner Philip Kohlschrieber of Germany.

For Monaco it's his fifth Heineken Open appearance: "I like the fact the surface is not too fast in Auckland, and I'd rather play here than indoors because it's sunny and warm."

The 25-year-old finished 2009 ranked 30 but has been as high as 14 almost two years ago. He wants to finish this year back in the top 15.

Monaco says one of the key motivations on a national level in the past year has been Juan Martin del Potro's win in the US Open. Del Potro was just the second Argentine to win the title, the other being Guillermo Vilas in 1977.

Monaco says it's spurred him on: "Young tennis players are looking to try to copy him, which can only be good."

Another inspiration is his football, on which he keeps a close eye.

"We have the best player in the world in Messi and we have a good coach in Maradona but he has to fix some things, because fans expect a lot. He's like a God."

Another topic to chew on during dinner and a decent piece of cow.