Local vino toasts pride of Pampas
Tennis fans in Argentina were still intent on celebrating David Nalbandian's performance at Wimbledon despite his crushing defeat by Lleyton Hewitt, and particularly at his home in this tiny town of 15,000 inhabitants, a 10-hour drive from Buenos Aires across the Pampa plain.
After the final Nalbandian's family and friends took to the streets in a pick-up truck covered with national flags for a lap of honour. "It is certainly a respite from the day-to-day slog of real life," said his father Norberto, a motorcycle mechanic, at the family's modest white-washed home.
"This is a dream for us, an unexpected one. Obviously, a win would have been nice but just looking at the television and seeing my son is sufficient. Only a few years ago he was practising on the town's humble concrete court. There is only one court in the whole town."
During the match, the family drank homemade wine as they huddled in front of a television set resting on a shelf cluttered with Nalbandian's trophies. Locals, excited by what they were calling Nalbandamania, gathered outside to cheer him on.
Nearby a local hot-dog stand had been renamed King David and buses dropped townspeople off at a stop next door, now called David's Corner.
A home-made big screen was erected for the crowds who came to join the party. Gauchos on horseback stopped to watch and cars hooted as they passed. When the screen broke down the family brought out their TV set and the party continued.
"The pride we feel is just indescribable, an unforgettable moment for the family and town," said his mother, Aldi, while Lazarete, a history teacher, summed up the mood: "The football team failed to come up with the goods, but David had done us proud." - Reuter