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By Alberto Amalfi | @Tennis_Now | Monday, November 27, 2023
David Nalbandian is at the center of a scandal rocking his reputation.
Araceli Torrado, Nalbandian's model ex-girlfriend has filed a stalking and harassment suit against him after alleging he planted a hidden camera in the apartment they shared in Italy to spy on her.
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The 29-year-old Torrado has posted video of her brother pulling the hidden camera out of a vent as well as audio of a phone conversation she claims is Nalbandian admitting he placed the camera.
The Wi-Fi controlled camera, pointed at the bed, was sending video back to a phone, media outlet C5N reports.
The man on the recording, which C5N reports Nalbandian has acknowledged is him, asks Torrado to reunite and admits he installed the camera, but claims he was never able to view video from it because of internet interference.
“What matters to me is that I’m okay with you, I want to find a way for us to get back together," Nalbandian is quoted as telling Torrado in a phone call. “Do you want me to be honest? Yes, it was me.
"I was never able to watch anything because of the internet. I cannot see it.
"If you want to sleep with someone, you’re welcome any day, any time."
In response, Torrado shoots back: "To what end did you do this?
"Are you a degenerate who wants to see me... when I sleep, are you sick to see me with someone or see if I was wearing? Tell me the story."
The man identified as Nalbandian replies: "There are a lot of times I don't understand you. The only intention it was was to understand you a little more, to empathize a little more in some way."
Buenos Aires prosecutors investigated but did not file charges against Nalbandian because they found his phone call and the installation of a camera in his own home did not constitute a crime.
The camera was confiscated and taken to court, however investigators said they were unable to determine if the camera ever transmitted the video and if Nalbandian ever viewed it.
In his public comments on the case, Nalbandian denied wrong-doing and suggested Torrado is making a cash grab under the guise of a stalking charge.
"There is already a judge's ruling, take a good look before you speak," Nalbandian told Clarín.
Asked the motivation for the suit, Nalbandian says it's all about money.
"They want money and fame." Nalbandian told Clarín.
Torrado's attorney, Martin Olari Ugrotte, essentially called the former Wimbledon finalist a liar claiming he has evidence that Nalbandían did spy on his ex-girlfriend.
"We have evidence to support that Nalbandian used that camera to view images remotely, Torrado's lawyer said in comments published by C5N. "So much so that he asked Araceli on one occasion, 'Don't you plan to get up all day?'
"It is evident that he saw those images."
Attorney Martin Olari Ugrotte said he asked the court for a restraining order to protect his client from Nalbandian "because it is evident that this person [Nalbandian] does not recognize limits."
Widely regarded as one of the best players who did not win a Grand Slam singles championship, Nalbandian captured 11 titles and more than $11 million in his pro career. Nalbandian posted 383 career wins, including registering an 8-11 lifetime record against former world No. 1 Roger Federer.
The 41-year-old Nalbandian, who retired in 2013, has done some coaching in his post-playing days, including working with Miomir Kecmanovic.
Photo credit: Mark Peterson/Corleve