Is Nalbandian overrated?

[Born_to_slice]

Face it, he underachieved because he didn't take his fitness seriously. The guy was fat for a tennis player. I say this as a fan, not to be mean.

He was probably playing at a 20-25%bodyfat level while most of his opponents were at 10-15%. Imagine if he focused on his weight and fitness, he would have certainly won a few slams. He was an amazing talent.

He was very strong and wide in the torso so he must've been fitness freak up until his career went downhill due to injuries. His legs always looked in top shape too. Definitely had some fat phases coming from injuries but I don't think that was always the case and that that was the primary problem. He had some real mental/serve problems and was notorious DF-er. It just takes more than talent to win a slam and he played in a very tough era. It says on ATP site that he's 180 cm tall, but he seemed shorter. Few more cm would've helped him too.

 

[125downthemiddle]

If a guy is described as "one of the best ballstrikers ever", a "great talent", "beautiful 2 handed backhand", or "could have won more slams if he took it more seriously" these are usually signs the player is overrated.

 

[Shaolin]

He was very strong and wide in the torso so he must've been fitness freak up until his career went downhill due to injuries. His legs always looked in top shape too. Definitely had some fat phases coming from injuries but I don't think that was always the case and that that was the primary problem. He had some real mental/serve problems and was notorious DF-er. It just takes more than talent to win a slam and he played in a very tough era. It says on ATP site that he's 180 cm tall, but he seemed shorter. Few more cm would've helped him too.

I still think he could have done some amazing things if he got in the shape of his peers. I'm about his size, around 6' 190lbs and as a bigger guy I can feel a huge difference just dropping 5 lbs. David could have probably played at 15 to 20 lbs lighter which would have made his ground game incredible.

 

[Born_to_slice]

I still think he could have done some amazing things if he got in the shape of his peers. I'm about his size, around 6' 190lbs and as a bigger guy I can feel a huge difference just dropping 5 lbs. David could have probably played at 15 to 20 lbs lighter which would have made his ground game incredible.

Ideal weight differs depending on a body type and how you shape it by exercise. This pic from late in his career, so he was definitely leaner before. Still not that bad for a man who's sitting, no? But look how bulky up he is in the upper torso. Not typical tennis build at all. More extra muscle weight than fat IMO,

 

[skaj]

If a guy is described as "one of the best ballstrikers ever", a "great talent", "beautiful 2 handed backhand", or "could have won more slams if he took it more seriously" these are usually signs the player is overrated.

Why would that be a sign of overrated player?

 

[-snake-]

Why would that be a sign of overrated player?

It isn't. Guy must be one of those people who touch their nether regions thinking about stats and all that. If X player doesn't win 989 titles it's not worth discussing for them.

 

[sredna42]

When people say he is one of the best to never win a slam this is pretty accurate. When people say he is one a talent level with the Big three and could have won similar amount of slams if only motivated this is where he becomes overrated. However, as Mainad has pointed out he had this great WTF 2005 as well as his great runs in Paris and Madrid in 2007 and a good career H2H against Federer so other than Rios (who is also one of those who get way too much praise for their supposed potential) he has at least some big wins to back up such a claim.

In terms of court IQ, or clarity on court, I think he was on par with Federer, or better even. Out of necessity, or due to talent? Who knows.
IMO he is the flawed God of tennis. Like a Lamborghini with a cracked engine block.