"It bothers me that people have questioned whether I'm continuing with the Davis Cup or not. For me, representing my country is really an honor,'' Nalbandian said Monday during a televised news conference in Mar del Plata, the site of Spain's 3-1 victory over Argentina. "I'm going to continue - like I've done until this point - defending Argentina's flag the best way possible.''
A sullen-looking Nalbandian said the home victory that was wrestled from Argentina - the favorite leading into the series - was devastating for him.
"Understand the pain of a player not being able to score a point in an important series,'' Nalbandian pleaded with reporters. "Understand the anguish and unease right now.
"Things went badly, but the terrible weekend is over.''
Nalbandian gave Argentina its only point in the best-of-five series, beating David Ferrer 6-3, 6-2, 6-3 in the first singles match Friday. Nalbandian and Agustin Calleri lost the doubles Saturday to Feliciano Lopez and Fernando Verdasco, which left Argentina with the nearly impossible task of winning both rubbers Sunday to win the title. Top player Juan Martin Del Potro was out due to an injury suffered during Friday's second rubber.
Nalbandian, upset by the doubles loss, skipped the mandatory news conference after the match and was fined $5,000 (?3,915). Argentina Coach Alberto Mancini said Nalbandian left the Islas Malvinas Stadium because he was not feeling well emotionally.
While Nalbandian refused Monday to confirm if he had paid the fine or not, he apologized to reporters for missing the Saturday news conference but accused them of spreading rumors that he argued with Calleri following the doubles loss.
"It really hurts the players when people say things that aren't true,'' Nalbandian said, sitting alone in front of a room full of reporters.
Journalists should focus on analyzing the technical aspects of the game and stay away from the personal elements he said, allowing the players to focus on "winning the game.''
Despite his disappointment, Nalbandian questioned those who are pessimistic about Argentina's future chances in the Davis Cup.
"We made it to two finals in three years. Why aren't we going to continue having the possibility of reaching our goal (of winning the Davis Cup)?'' he said.
Argentina made the finals in 1981 and 2006, losing to the United States and Russia.
Meanwhile, Argentine Tennis Association vice president Arturo Grimaldi said Monday that Mancini's replacement will be announced within the next month after the team captain announced Sunday he would be stepping down.
Nalbandian's trainer Martin Jaite is being tipped as a contender for the post.
"He's one of the best and without a doubt he's got a chance,'' Grimaldi told Buenos Aires-based La Red radio station.
Nalbandian refused to comment on the possibility Monday, saying it wasn't his decision.
Victorious Spain Captain Emilio Sanchez Vicario showed his support for a possible Jaite captaincy.
"Argentina has a spectacular level of players for next year. Martin Jaite's name is being mentioned...He's a very capable person and I think that he can put together a team and bring the triumph that Argentina is missing,'' Sanchez Vicario told America radio Monday before returning to Spain with the country's third Davis Cup win.
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Associated Press writer Jeannette Neumann contributed to this report.
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