Nalbandian vs. Rios: Who Was More Talented?

[I.Haychew]

Both guys are considered to be natural talents, yet neither won a Major. Who was more talented? Who would win during "ideal" conditions...on an indoor practice court with no one watching? No pressure. Just talent vs. talent. Serving talent is optional.

 

[britbox]

Nalbandian.

 

[Federberg]

I honestly don't know who was more talented. They were both incredible. But indoors? Probably give the edge to Nalbandian. For what it's worth I think Mecir would have kicked both their asses

 

[El Dude]

Mecir is a nice third to add to the mix. Are those three the most talented Slamless players of the Open Era? Any old-timers want to dredge up the 70s? @Fiero425? ;-)

 

[calitennis127]

Both guys are considered to be natural talents, yet neither won a Major. Who was more talented? Who would win during "ideal" conditions...on an indoor practice court with no one watching? No pressure. Just talent vs. talent. Serving talent is optional.

Please remind me.....were those matches that Nalbandian won over Federer at the Australian Open and the US Open played on indoor courts with no one watching?

 

[Federberg]

Please remind me.....were those matches that Nalbandian won over Federer at the Australian Open and the US Open played on indoor courts with no one watching?

Lol! Are you saying Nalbandian should get special credit for having to contend with Federer? I have to laugh. It never ceases to amuse me how fans of Federer's rivals often use their proximity to him to boost their credentials even as they dismiss his greatness/ability/talent

 

[Fiero425]

Mecir is a nice third to add to the mix. Are those three the most talented Slamless players of the Open Era? Any old-timers want to dredge up the 70s? @Fiero425? ;-)

Slam-less great players weren't as prominent and it didn't happen as much as they do now; at least sneaking a FO or AO where the top players didn't appear as much! Gomez almost retired without a major, but at 30+ he was lucky enough to meet Agassi during that period and took FO in '90; sorta on par with Cilic who snuck a USO in 2014! Average players like Johan Kriek took an Aussie Open along with a no name like Brian Teacher and the dearly departed Vitas Gerulaitis! You also had players who rose to the occasion beating the favorite like Noah over Wilander in '83 and Chang in '89 at FO beating Lendl along the way! It's a lot more prevalent now to go Slam-less with players who never get a sniff of a major due to Fedalovicray unfortunately and don't win because they can't seem to finish! Let me think on it more! Just waking from a nap!

 

[Fiero425]

Please remind me.....were those matches that Nalbandian won over Federer at the Australian Open and the US Open played on indoor courts with no one watching?

As great as Nalbandian was, I can only remember him taking that YEC down 0-2 to Federer, but supposedly Roger had an ankle injury and that was how it was spun allowing David the win in 5 sets! It was a long grueling match that shouldn't have happened, but what can you do? Upsets are good sometime! I was so hoping Berdych would rise to the occasion at Wimbledon in 2010 over Rafa, but he couldn't finish off his run after beating Nole and Roger along the way to the final! :whistle:

 

[El Dude]

Actually, @Fiero425, Gerulaitis would fit the general mold of very talented underachiever, but he did manage one Slam. I love the stories of him showing much at Slam matches still intoxicated after all-night partying.

 

[calitennis127]

Lol! Are you saying Nalbandian should get special credit for having to contend with Federer?

What I was saying is that Nalbandian did more than hit beautiful shots in indoor practice sessions with no people watching.

 

[Busted]

Mecir is a nice third to add to the mix. Are those three the most talented Slamless players of the Open Era? Any old-timers want to dredge up the 70s? @Fiero425? ;-)

Ah...Mecir. I loved watching the Big Cat.

I'm going to take Rios in this hypothetical matchup with Nalbandian. He was mercurial as hell with zero effs to give. His don't GAFF attitude is what Nick Kyrgios tries to exude but doesn't quite succeed at. The problem with voting for Rios though is they'd have to play on a day he was in the mood to try...

 

[Federberg]

What I was saying is that Nalbandian did more than hit beautiful shots in indoor practice sessions with no people watching.

What of it? Rios was no scrub indoors. Of his 18 titles I believe 3 were indoors. Of Nalbandian's 11, 5 were indoors. When you consider that one of those indoor titles was Madrid (when funky players win coz the big boys are tired), and the ATP Tour Finals when Roger was just coming back from an ankle injury, it's much of a muchness to me..

 

[Fiero425]

What of it? Rios was no scrub indoors. Of his 18 titles I believe 3 were indoors. Of Nalbandian's 11, 5 were indoors. When you consider that one of those indoor titles was Madrid (when funky players win coz the big boys are tired), and the ATP Tour Finals when Roger was just coming back from an ankle injury, it's much of a muchness to me..

After all this time, I can only remember Rio's becoming #1 for 5 min. due to his win over Agassi the final of the 5th major, Lipton Int'l 20 years ago! I didn't enjoy watching that lefty with 2-handed BH! He did do us that favor since Agassi was no fave of mines with the constant refrain of "image is everything!" Such an underachiever until '92! :whistle:

 

[Busted]

Mecir is a nice third to add to the mix. Are those three the most talented Slamless players of the Open Era? Any old-timers want to dredge up the 70s? @Fiero425? ;-)

Neither are old time players...but...I've always thought it was a shame that Ferrer and Davydenko never won Slams. Talk about being born in the wrong era...

 

[Busted]

Actually, @Fiero425, Gerulaitis would fit the general mold of very talented underachiever, but he did manage one Slam. I love the stories of him showing much at Slam matches still intoxicated after all-night partying.

Vitas' problem was - even when he showed up sober...Bjorn Borg, John McEnroe and Jimmy Connors were still better.

 

[Fiero425]

Vitas' problem was - even when he showed up sober...Bjorn Borg, John McEnroe and Jimmy Connors were still better.

But there was a formula to beat Connors! He had several players who had his number if they were playing well; outside of Borg & McEnroe, there was Stockton, Tanner, Nastase, & a couple others! High balls to the BH, low to the his FH & volley, and aces down the middle and corners was utilized to beat Jimmy! :whistle:

 

[Ricardo]

I honestly don't know who was more talented. They were both incredible. But indoors? Probably give the edge to Nalbandian. For what it's worth I think Mecir would have kicked both their asses

Mecir? Sure makes the league but kick both their asses? You are just delusional with self-entitlement again. When did you say you started watching tennis ? :whistle:

 

[isabelle]

As great as Nalbandian was, I can only remember him taking that YEC down 0-2 to Federer, but supposedly Roger had an ankle injury and that was how it was spun allowing David the win in 5 sets! It was a long grueling match that shouldn't have happened, but what can you do? Upsets are good sometime! I was so hoping Berdych would rise to the occasion at Wimbledon in 2010 over Rafa, but he couldn't finish off his run after beating Nole and Roger along the way to the final! :whistle:

he had no ankle's injury, he said in presser that he was healthy, moreover Nalby beat him 8 times, don't me he was injured the 8 times !!!

 

[Ricardo]

But there was a formula to beat Connors! He had several players who had his number if they were playing well; outside of Borg & McEnroe, there was Stockton, Tanner, Nastase, & a couple others! High balls to the BH, low to the his FH & volley, and aces down the middle and corners was utilized to beat Jimmy! :whistle:

With that formula I can’t see you ever losing a match

 

[britbox]

Mecir is a nice third to add to the mix. Are those three the most talented Slamless players of the Open Era? Any old-timers want to dredge up the 70s? @Fiero425? ;-)

Depends what courts your playing on, and what era. Mecir wasn't a power guy... and struggled with power. He caused Edberg a few problems early on before Stefan turned it around... but Stefan was more finesse than power... and he caused the other Swedes a lot of problems.... none of whom were power players (trouble for Wilander, Nystrom, Pernfors) but would get mown down by the likes of Lendl and Becker.