Rank These 3 In Terms of Raw Talent: Federer, Safin, Nalbandian

[King No1e]

3 players known for their insane talent (and a combined 22 Grand Slams). Nalbandian had silky-smooth touch and effortless timing, but lacked the motivation to capitalize on it fully. Safin's technical wizardry and combination of power + precision was unrivaled, but his greatest enemy was his own mind. Federer had his legendary talent from the start, and he, too, didn't quite know how to unlock its full potential until his breakthrough in 2003. The rest is history.

In terms of raw talent, how would you rank these 3?

 

[mahesh69a]

None of them can hold a candle to the legendary Sureshs in terms of raw talent.

 

[GoldenSwing]

I think it's very common for posters on this forum to confuse shotmaking/offense with talent..

Federer has to be greater than both of these players, easily.

- All surface threat
- Variety
- Great at the net
- Great movement to back it up
- ATG Serve
- GOAT forehand (shared with Nadal).

Safin had tremendous groundstrokes, but he was rather inconsistent. His movement was also not as fluid.

Nalbandian had what...? His backhand? His forehand was serviceable but by no means a threat compared to some of the other players on tour at the time. He was consistent and that was his greatest strength.

I would even argue that Djokovic and Nadal are more talented than Safin/Nalbandian. They're a much more complete package, and have much better instincts on court.

 

[King No1e]

I think it's very common for posters on this forum to confuse shotmaking/offense with talent..

Federer has to be greater than both of these players, easily.

- All surface threat
- Variety
- Great at the net
- Great movement to back it up
- ATG Serve
- GOAT forehand (shared with Nadal).

Safin had tremendous groundstrokes, but he was rather inconsistent. His movement was also not as fluid.

Nalbandian had what...? His backhand? His forehand was serviceable but by no means a threat compared to some of the other players on tour at the time. He was consistent and that was his greatest strength.

I would even argue that Djokovic and Nadal are more talented than Safin/Nalbandian. They're a much more complete package, and have much better instincts on court.

I would also rate Federer far above the others, but I'd say you're selling Safin a little short here.
Safin had all-round technical near-perfection. His movement is an overlooked part of his game. He was supremely fit and could cover a lot of ground, especially for his height. He didn't really have any weaknesses in his game you could exploit - his BH was one of the GOATs, his forehand was a massive weapon, he didn't really struggle on the return, he could move well, he had a booming serve, great variety, and amazing touch at the net. His talent really wasn't overrated IMO. He just lacked the mentality to make it count and rival Federer.

 

[Tshooter]

Why are these two even in the same conversation as FEDR.

 

[Tshooter]

...
I would even argue that Djokovic and Nadal are more talented than Safin/Nalbandian. They're a much more complete package, and have much better instincts on court.

Good argument because both RAFA and Djoker are vastly more talented than Safin/Nalby.

 

[Druss]

I think it's very common for posters on this forum to confuse shotmaking/offense with talent..

Federer has to be greater than both of these players, easily.

- All surface threat
- Variety
- Great at the net
- Great movement to back it up
- ATG Serve
- GOAT forehand (shared with Nadal).

Safin had tremendous groundstrokes, but he was rather inconsistent. His movement was also not as fluid.

Nalbandian had what...? His backhand? His forehand was serviceable but by no means a threat compared to some of the other players on tour at the time. He was consistent and that was his greatest strength.

I would even argue that Djokovic and Nadal are more talented than Safin/Nalbandian. They're a much more complete package, and have much better instincts on court.

Good points. However OP is about 'raw talent'. Can you imagine what Safin would have been capable of (and achieved) if only he was as dedicated, regimented and mentally focused as Federer?

 

[JackGates]

3 players known for their insane talent (and a combined 22 Grand Slams). Nalbandian had silky-smooth touch and effortless timing, but lacked the motivation to capitalize on it fully. Safin's technical wizardry and combination of power + precision was unrivaled, but his greatest enemy was his own mind. Federer had his legendary talent from the start, and he, too, didn't quite know how to unlock its full potential until his breakthrough in 2003. The rest is history.

In terms of raw talent, how would you rank these 3?

Look, I define talent by how little effort you need to achieve the same results. And Fed is nr.1, no doubt, because he wins faster, that's it, he can just relly on shot-making, serve and net skills if he has to. Naldandian and Safin had talent, but you steel felt they needed to try much harder in matches.

I mean come on, Fed defeated prime Pete on fast grass with smaller rackets. Pete is the most talented too, he also didn't need much energy to win, he just cruised, then broke you. At least on non clay courts, Fed is the most talented, no dout, because on clay Fed has to try hard too, to me it looked like Kuerten was the most talented clay courter, it looks so effortless for him.

 

[Lew II]

Nalbandian > Safin > Federer

The weak era standards: the less successful the more talented.

 

[Fiero425]

Good points. However OP is about 'raw talent'. Can you imagine what Safin would have been capable of (and achieved) if only he was as dedicated, regimented and mentally focused as Federer?

I'm one who's put Safin on a pedestal all to himself years ago due to the raw talent I saw in him! He was a more powerful "Ilie Nastase!" Both could do things no other player could do on a regular basis! It wasn't like Federer's "excuse me" type winners! Even though I like Nalbandian's game, I wasn't watching tennis enough around then to give him that much credit, but that 5 set comeback to win the YEC over Roger in '05 has to be a highlight of his career! I take away points due to his blowup and subsequent default when winning Queens back in 2012!

 

[JackGates]

I'm one who's put Safin on a pedestal all to himself years ago due to the raw talent I saw in him! He was a more powerful "Ilie Nastase!" Both could do things no other player could do on a regular basis! It wasn't like Federer's "excuse me" type winners! Even though I like Nalbandian's game, I wasn't watching tennis enough around then to give him that much credit, but that 5 set comeback to win the YEC over Roger in '05 has to be a highlight of his career! I take away points due to his blowup and subsequent default when winning Queens back in 2012!

YEah, Safin had Pete like talent, just raw power and accuracy. Both top tier talent, but I still think Fed beats them, but yeah Safin had ton of talent too. But, it's subjective too, for some great speed, defense and athleticism and endurance is considered talent. Was Lance Armstrong not talented? Safin was also tough matchup for Fed, I don't think it's Fer to just compare them versus each other when considering talent, we need to compare how they both did versus entire field and Fed was able to adjust, Safin wasn't, so Fed has more talent.