David Nalbandian

[Ricardo]

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.

yeah ok, Rafa would have won if it wasn't the knee. Happy to move on?

 

[Ricardo]

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.

ok so it's a woulda have won match, again. Thought he beat Gaudio 6-0 6-0 in the semi's? Sure he should have won when I watched it, but it is what it is.

 

[calitennis127]

The unqualified enigma. Â 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.

He was the most talented player in modern tennis history.....more than Djokovic, more than Federer, and certainly more than the guy who should have lost the 2007 and 2011 Roland Garros finals to Federer because of Federer's moronic, meat-headed approaches in those matches. Nalbandian was also more talented than his fellow headcase Safin. In a way, his game was too transcendent and too ideal to mesh with the nitty-gritty, practical details of life, but he also bears responsibility for not ironing out some of the wrinkles.

Why didn't Nalbandian win more? Primarily two reasons:

1) Low first-serve percentage
2) Excessive numbers of double faults

But there were also these secondary reasons:

1) Lack of durability/often getting injured (this is the only way in which the aforementioned players could be considered "more talented")
2) Being too casual about holding serve and counting on his return game to win him tight matches, which it often did; but because he did not focus on holding serve he often got tied up in matches that he either barely lost or won with too much effort, complication, and drama - and that led to being drained later in tournaments.
3) Not being aggressive enough at times with his forehand, which was every bit as good as Federer's when he wanted it to be.
4) Not having a decisive identity/plan on his own serve when closing out matches
5) Not being physically cut/supremely fit (this isn't to say he was in totally poor condition, just to say that it could've been better)


All of these reasons except the lack of durability issue could have been easily corrected - and even the durability issue could have been significantly mitigated by more optimal physical conditioning.

 

[Front242]

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.

Ok have it your way ffs. There was nothing wrong with either of them and they both just lost. Fine by me.

 

[Fiero425]

He was the most talented player in modern tennis history.....more than Djokovic, more than Federer, and certainly more than the guy who should have lost the 2007 and 2011 Roland Garros finals to Federer because of Federer's moronic, meat-headed approaches in those matches. Nalbandian was also more talented than his fellow headcase Safin. In a way, his game was too transcendent and too ideal to mesh with the nitty-gritty, practical details of life, but he also bears responsibility for not ironing out some of the wrinkles.

Why didn't Nalbandian win more? Primarily two reasons:

…..

I gave this honor to Safin as you well know! The man had it all; power, touch, & versatility! He was an elevated "Ilie Nastase" IMO! :whistle:

 

[calitennis127]

I gave this honor to Safin as you well know! The man had it all; power, touch, & versatility! He was an elevated "Ilie Nastase" IMO! :whistle:

Well Safin could serve and he was highly mobile. So I see why you would say that. But psychologically he was a goofball and in rallies I don't think he was as natural as the other top players. He could hit some great shots but in terms of lasting in very long points and playing with variety I don't think the game came as easy to him as some have suggested.