Does anyone else on here enjoy watching Nalbandian? I truly love watching his game for the variety that he brings. I think if he was a bit quicker he could easily be top 10. With all of his injuries its a shame that it has set him back. Ill tell you what though...that backhand and drop volley is so sweet to watch!
Nalbandian anyone?
- Thread starter dmcb101
- Start date
tennis_pro
Bionic Poster
I think it's a shame he really started to dedicate himself to tennis so late in his career. He could've easily won big titles if he put 100 % effort.
I am not that aware of his work ethic...I only know what I hear on here (which is not so great I hear). But if that is true then you are correct. Look at Mardy Fish. Made a big push and look where he went. I would so love to see Nalbandian just win a slam, but I know that will never happen. He deserves it though.
OriginalHockeytowner
Rookie
I really love his game. His backhand is wicked, he covers the court so well when he's fit, but that seemed to be his Achille's heel: maintaining fitness. Watching him squander a 2 sets to love lead on Baghdatis in the 2006 AO was painful, but it cemented me as a Baghdatis bandwagoner. Can't really say that either of them turned out the way I thought they would.
Nalbandian will probably go down in the history books as the only man to beat Roger Federer in a year end championship final, which is better than any Masters Series in my opinion.
Nalbandian will probably go down in the history books as the only man to beat Roger Federer in a year end championship final, which is better than any Masters Series in my opinion.
^ That was a crazy match, although if Federer hadn't had injury issues, he probably would've won in 3 or 4 sets. Heck, he almost pulled off the comeback in the 5th, after he had tanked to conserve injury.
But anyway, I like watching him. It's a shame he didn't win more considering his huge amount of talent, but I'll settle for watching him hit backhands all day.
But anyway, I like watching him. It's a shame he didn't win more considering his huge amount of talent, but I'll settle for watching him hit backhands all day.
Mainad
Bionic Poster
As it happens, in Masters finals he is one of only 6 players to beat Federer and one of only 4 to beat Nadal and was the first player to beat both Federer and Nadal, when they were the two top players, in a final.
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Cormorant
Professional
I'd forgotten about that, and even though I was favouring Baghdatis that was a golden chance for Nalby to get a slam. Federer had a nervous run to the final, and if ever there was a time for Nalby to beat him in a major final it was then.
tennis_pro
Bionic Poster
Shaolin
G.O.A.T.
I'm a huge Nalbandian fan but he doesn't deserve to win a major. He has insane talent but skates by on it and has never tried to get physically fit. You cant eat hamburgers and donuts all day and go out expecting to win slams on talent alone.
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Nostradamus
Bionic Poster
nalbandian beats Tipsarevik and will take on Tsonga. Nalby has earlier this year that his tennis will take care itself if he just avoids injuries this year. He is top 10 player and always had been
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elpolaco84
Guest
more off season training and less "off season party all night long, less carnaval, less world rally car, less asado y fernet con cola":wink:
sportsfan1
Legend
Nalby's gotta be one of the cleanest striker of the ball, and from the limited time I have seen him play, pretty good at the net as well. Definitely makes for good match viewing, unlike many other two handed baseline players. Now if he could do something about the fitness...
tenniselbow1
Rookie
I'm expecting him to take out Tsonga as well, and if he pulls that off, all the *******s better go on serious alert. He's playing well, not to be taken lightly.
You do realize he was ranked #3 in the world, yes?
TopFH
Hall of Fame
Who has a better two hander?
i suppose he meant to say "the guy in the picture i just posted"
nadalwon2012
Banned
Agassi had a better 2-hander than Safin and Nalbandian anyway.
Yes I do. I am just saying that if he currently was in better shape he would be top 10.
tennis_pro
Bionic Poster
Nostradamus
Bionic Poster
I wonder if Nalbandian is interested in coaching after his career is done ? I think he could make a legendary coach like tony roche.
blackfrido
Hall of Fame
Have you seen him last night? I wasn't serving bad at all!
Mainad
Bionic Poster
Not sure I'd hire him as my dietician though! :wink:
PCXL-Fan
Hall of Fame
I like your attitude, but you are grossly underestimating Nalbandians potential. Top 10 is nothing in terms of Nalbandians potential. He had the potential to be every bit as great as Federer, but his injuries and his tragically nonexistent work ethic kept him out of the highest legends of tennis. His injuries kept him from winning multiple slams and most already know that.
His backhand and coordination were so good even greats like Federer were destroyed by it rally after rally, back in 2003-2006, fyi-during Fed peakest of primes. However it was a snowball effect & the injuries and lack of achievements only added in disrupting Davids confidence and motivation and further prevented him from pursuing his birthright.
In terms of technical detail in why Nalbandian was so good: his sense of strategy and all court coverage despite so little practice was a step ahead of Federer. His footwork while not as flamboyant was every bit as good as Feds, only his footspeed let him down. His backhand was superior to Federer/Djokovic, arguably the best backhand of all time. All this amazingly with without the drive to perfect himself like Sampras, Federer, Nadal or Djokovic had..
Gaudio2004
Semi-Pro
That wasn't all down to Baghdatis playing well - Nalbandian is famous for not being able to close out matches or making a match more difficult than it need be! His match vs Cilic in IW 2012 is a great example, he should have won 6-4 6-3, in the end he won 7-6 7-5 (or something similar).
In Majors he has had too many 5-setters and lengthy 4 (and even 3) setters, which has lead to him losing some SF and QF in an easy manner
Nalbandian had many injuries when he was younger, in my view a reason as to why Nalbandian is such a favourite with the fans is because of his laid-back attitude (which helps and defines his game style as he never rushes).
The same attitude is apparent in his poor conditioning and for a long time, a poor diet and poor fitness regime which lead to numerous injuries!
If he didn't have the mental lapses in so many of his matches, the experience would be even better... but yes, he is a fantastic player to watch when he's motivated and wants to play. One of the cleanest ball-strikers out there
TennisNiche
Rookie
I believe there are a number of factors which held Nalbandian back; injuries, lack of fitness, poor mentality in the most important moments, and perhaps also lack of a huge weapon.
I wrote actually a post based around his match against Nadal back in 2009 Indian Wells, and how this match really represents quite well the story of his career.
http://tennisniche.wordpress.com/2011/11/09/nalbandian-in-one-match/
I wrote actually a post based around his match against Nadal back in 2009 Indian Wells, and how this match really represents quite well the story of his career.
http://tennisniche.wordpress.com/2011/11/09/nalbandian-in-one-match/
OriginalHockeytowner
Rookie
We are in total agreement, that's why I said "squander." It was his match to win, he let Baggy back into it, and didn't even appear to be taking it seriously. I remember he hit the tape with a drop shot and just stuck his tongue out! Before he knew it, he was shaking hands and leaving the court.
ruerooo
Legend
A friend of mine is a huge fan, putting him into the "one of the best to never win a Slam" category, with his deadly angles.
No "squandering" from him yesterday against Tipsy.
Happy to see him move forward, always nervous about him potentially facing Rafa (assuming, of course, Rafa gets past Sasha), remembering their IW 09 match.
No "squandering" from him yesterday against Tipsy.
Happy to see him move forward, always nervous about him potentially facing Rafa (assuming, of course, Rafa gets past Sasha), remembering their IW 09 match.
ruerooo
Legend
Terrible about the injuries.
Credit to him now, I think, for working harder now than he used to. He was an absolute beast about Davis Cup; with him and DelPo both playing, I'll be surprised if Argentina doesn't take that this year.
OriginalHockeytowner
Rookie
Excellent win! Tipsy is a tough player, very crafty.
PSNELKE
Legend
I would hire him as my nutritionist.
Talent he has to win one. Strangers thinngs have happened. Sampras and Agassi won Slams way after their prime.
Nonetheless, Nalbandian will have to be more consistent and maintain high level if he wants to win a Slam.
And both of them in their prime...
If you want to gain some weight you can. Giles Simon could hire him.
Lavs
Hall of Fame
Did he it low fat donuts?
"eat" not "it"
PSNELKE
Legend
What, you cannot bullz serious!!!
Nalbandians weight goes up and down. Two weeks ago he looked thin and now against Tipsarevic he looked like he gained the weight back. Curiously, he has played better with the added weight on, at least judging by him winning in IW and loosing in early rounds in his prior tournament.
ZeroSkid
Banned
:lol::lol::lol::lol:
OriginalHockeytowner
Rookie
He's playing like a man possessed, a man with nothing to lose
nadalwon2012
Banned
Agassi is the cleanest hitter in tennis history (according to many), or certainly a cleaner hitter than Safin/Nalbandian. Agassi takes the ball earlier than any player in history. And Agassi's stronger wing is the backhand.... yet his backhand isn't as good as Safin/Nalbandian? Are you people for real?
