David Nalbandian - One of the best player that never won a Grand Slam
David Nalbandian, often regarded as one of the greatest players to never win a Grand Slam, left an indelible mark on tennis history with his remarkable skill and perseverance. A prodigy from an early age, Nalbandian’s talent was evident when, at just 16, he won the Boys' Junior U.S. Open title in 1998, defeating none other than Roger Federer in the final. Known for his solid, powerful groundstrokes from both wings, Nalbandian had the ability to hit winners from anywhere on the court, making him a formidable opponent.
Nalbandian reached a career-high ranking of world No. 3 in 2006 and consistently proved his mettle in major tournaments. He reached the semifinals or better in all four Grand Slams during his career and made a memorable run to the Wimbledon final in 2002, where he was outclassed by Australia’s Lleyton Hewitt in straight sets (6-1, 6-3, 6-2). One of the biggest triumphs of Nalbandian’s career came at the 2005 Tennis Masters Cup (now the ATP Finals), where he staged a dramatic comeback from two sets down to defeat Federer in a fifth-set tiebreak. Despite his undeniable talent and several near-misses, Nalbandian never managed to secure a Grand Slam title.
Madrid 2007: Nalbandian’s Stunning Revival
By 2007, Nalbandian was struggling through one of the toughest seasons of his career, plagued by injuries and inconsistent form. He had managed just one quarterfinal appearance all year. However, everything changed in October 2007, when he arrived at the Mutua Madrid Open, which was played indoors on hard courts at the time. Nalbandian embarked on a dream run that would forever etch his name in tennis folklore.
After dispatching Arnaud Clément, Tomas Berdych, and a young Juan Martín del Potro in the first three rounds, Nalbandian faced an enormous challenge in the quarterfinals: Rafael Nadal, who was already a dominant force in the sport. Nalbandian, however, was undeterred, delivering a stunning performance to crush the Spaniard 6-1, 6-2 in just over an hour. It was a commanding display that announced the Argentine’s resurgence.
In the semifinals, Nalbandian faced Novak Djokovic, who was ranked No. 3 in the world and already a star on the tour. Nalbandian continued his stellar form, defeating Djokovic in straight sets, 6-4, 7-6, to book his place in the final. Awaiting him was none other than world No. 1 Roger Federer, who had held the top spot for three consecutive years and was dominating the tennis landscape.
The Historic Mutua Madrid Open 2007 Final
In the final, Nalbandian had the opportunity to join a select group of players who had defeated the top three players in the world in a single tournament. But Nalbandian went one step further: he became the only player in history to beat Federer, Nadal, and Djokovic—the legendary "Big 3"—in the same tournament.
After losing the first set 1-6 to Federer, Nalbandian rallied, overpowering the Swiss Maestro to win the next two sets 6-3, 6-3. His victory was a stunning achievement, one of the most impressive feats in the sport. Nalbandian’s Madrid title run remains iconic, as it was the first and only time anyone defeated all three members of the Big 3 in one event. Following Federer’s retirement, Nalbandian will forever hold this unique distinction.
Just two weeks after his historic Madrid triumph, Nalbandian continued his blistering form at the Paris Masters, where he once again defeated both Nadal and Federer en route to the title, solidifying his genius streak. Though he never captured a Grand Slam, David Nalbandian’s back-to-back triumphs over the world’s best in 2007 will forever be remembered as one of the greatest performances in tennis history.
Here are David Nalbandian's highlights from Madrid 2007:
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