David Nalbandian

[britbox]

The unqualified enigma.  How good was Nalbandian... and yeah, I'm talking to you @Calitennis127 amongst others. I know @Alien was always a huge fan too.

I know you don't think I liked Nalbandian from convos on previous boards, but I did actually like him.... I just didn't rate him as highly as you.

 

[Alien]

I dont know what to do of David these days. He was so talented. And yet he was just lazy.

His problem was his lack of serve I think, nowhere as good as Federer, Ljubicic, of course not Roddick´s and other players of his time.

He did his best for Argentina to get the DC but never could.

He used to say to journalists: "nobody can guarantee that if I dedicate 100% to training hard I would get to #1". He repeated it over and over when questioned about his car racing and others. He should have been retorted: " I can only guarantee you are NOT getting #1 if you don´t do it".

He didn't.

 

[tented]

 

[mrzz]

Thanks, @britbox. I always missed a thread about Nalbandian in this board.

 

[kskate2]

When did a non-Big 3 player make it to back-to-back Masters finals? And did any of them win even one of them?

I think Nalby is the answer to this question before Med did it last week.

 

[Jelenafan]

I still despair when I think about the five set loss in the semifinals of the 2003 USO to Andy Roddick. So close, I do think he could have handled JCF in the finals...

 

[Nadalfan2013]

The first thing I think about when I read the name Nalbandian is how you can actually spell Nadal with his name... that’s like winning a slam

 

[Fiero425]

I still despair when I think about the five set loss in the semifinals of the 2003 USO to Andy Roddick. So close, I do think he could have handled JCF in the finals...

As good as he was, I only think of 2 instances of note with Nalbandian; his defeat of Federer at the YEC final down 2 sets and his disqualification out of Queens in the final against Cilic, slamming a ball at a linesman by accident! The guy drew blood from the official! I'm shocked he wasn't just suspended indefinitely compared to other greats who pushed the limits of sportsmanship like Nastase, McEnroe, and Connors! David should have made more of a mark; the ability was there, just not the work ethic!:whistle: :cuckoo:

 

[Front242]

As good as he was, I only think of 2 instances of note with Nalbandian; his defeat of Federer at the YEC final down 2 sets and his disqualification out of Queens in the final against Cilic, slamming a ball at a linesman by accident! The guy drew blood from the official! I'm shocked he wasn't just suspended indefinitely compared to other greats who pushed the limits of sportsmanship like Nastase, McEnroe, and Connors! David should have made more of a mark; the ability was there, just not the work ethic!:whistle: :cuckoo:

Can't really see the former as a claim to fame to be honest given that Federer wasn't long off crutches from an ankle injury and was still even wearing an ankle brace in that match. He wasn't really ready for best of 5 again so soon. Nalbandian's shining moments were definitely the masters he won imo. His poor serve and tons of double faults he hit most matches sealed his fate.

 

[Fiero425]

Yeah, that makes sense! Roger was hobbled, but the match still went 5 sets when he had a 2-0 lead! Yep, just brilliant by all concerned! There were 3 TB's in the contest! Why bring up an injury? :whistle: :cuckoo:

 

[Front242]

Yeah, that makes sense! Roger was hobbled, but the match still went 5 sets when he had a 2-0 lead! Yep, just brilliant by all concerned! There were 3 TB's in the contest! Why bring up an injury? :whistle: :cuckoo:

I don't can't see how beating an injured player should be a crowning achievement for anyone, that's all. Anyway, I liked Nalbandian. When he played well, he was brilliant to watch but sadly those moments were scarce on the big stage aside from a handful.

 

[brokenshoelace]

Can't really see the former as a claim to fame to be honest given that Federer wasn't long off crutches from an ankle injury and was still even wearing an ankle brace in that match. He wasn't really ready for best of 5 again so soon. Nalbandian's shining moments were definitely the masters he won imo. His poor serve and tons of double faults he hit most matches sealed his fate.

Dude, the world does not revolve around a Fed fan's interpretation of legitimate wins/losses (which is why, contrary to what you've stated in the past, Nadal's 2010 Wimbledon title actually counts). Yes, Fed was coming off an injury...and still played well enough to reach the final and get at two set lead. So yes, that win is actually a claim to fame for Nalbandian and it's the defining win of his career. A 5 set epic over the best player in the world who was then quasi unbeatable.

 

[brokenshoelace]

I don't can't see how beating an injured player should be a crowning achievement for anyone, that's all. .

Something that rhymes with Sobin Roderling.

 

[Front242]

Something that rhymes with Sobin Roderling.

Roger was wearing an ankle brace for ffs and had recently been on crutches just a few weeks prior. It says more about him that he nearly won than it does about Nalbandian.

 

[isabelle]

I don't can't see how beating an injured player should be a crowning achievement for anyone, that's all. Anyway, I liked Nalbandian. When he played well, he was brilliant to watch but sadly those moments were scarce on the big stage aside from a handful.

he was not injured, he said himself that he was OK if not he would'nt have played. well deseved win for Nalby after more than 4h30. a beautiful show, that last decent Masters' final.

 

[Front242]

he was not injured, he said himself that he was OK if not he would'nt have played. well deseved win for Nalby after more than 4h30. a beautiful show, that last decent Masters' final.

It was a great match alright but you forgot Rome 2006. Federer obviously wasn't that injured but he was wearing an ankle brace. How much it affected him only he himself knows at the end of the day.

 

[Jelenafan]

Nalbandian beat Federer 8 times in his career.

 

[isabelle]

Nalbandian beat Federer 8 times in his career.

and the old Swiss wasn't injured each times uh ? so it was not a fluke

 

[Fiero425]

and the old Swiss wasn't injured each times uh ? so it was not a fluke

Don't ya love people saying "well Federer was hurt and wearing a brace on his ankle in that YEC match back in '05.?" The match went 5 sets with 3 tie-breakers! If he was hobbled, he probably should have finished off David in straight sets rather than allowing him to come back from 0-2! Ridiculous! :whistle: :cuckoo:

 

[Moxie]

It was a great match alright but you forgot Rome 2006. Federer obviously wasn't that injured but he was wearing an ankle brace. How much it affected him only he himself knows at the end of the day.

Amazing how generous you are towards Fed's strapped ankle, when, although Rafa's knees were taped all of 2009, and I can't remember how long before that, there is not one Fed Fan on here that will give the least quarter to the notion that Nadal's notoriously dodgy knees had anything to do with his loss at RG that year. Rainy day: OK; Suzanne Langlen Court: OK; Rafa's knees: Not for one second. Yep, and Rafa fans are the excuse makers. Ooookaaay.