Whats happened to David Nalbandian this year...?

Question

At the end of last year, he was winning everything! he beat Nadal and Federer (and maybe Djokovic) all in 1 tournament! He was tipped to do big things in the year 2008! but we are 3 grand slams into the year and he has done nothing!

Were last years results a fluke! OR can Nalbandian seriously challenge the big 3 soon?

Answer 1

Nalbandian began 2008 back in the top ten, however for the seventh straight time he failed to make the Quarterfinals of a slam, suffering a 6–1, 6–2, 6–3, 3rd round loss to the No. 22 seed Juan Carlos Ferrero. On February 24,2008 Nalbandian was able to win the Copa Telmex on his own home soil in Buenos Aires. He beat fellow compatriot Jose Acasuso 3–6 7–6(7–5) 6–4. With that win he was able to move to the number 8 ATP rank.

The following week, Nalbandian arrived at the Abierto Mexicano Telcel in Acapulco, Mexico. Nalbandian defeated Boris Pašanski, Santiago Ventura, Potito Starace, and Luis Horna all in straight sets, but then lost in the final to Nicolás Almagro, 6–1, 7–6 (1).

Nalbandian entered the 2008 Pacific Life Open, and received a "bye" in the first round because of his seventh seeding. In the second round, he defeated Ernests Gulbis 6–4, 4–6, 7–6 (4), and then came back to beat Radek Štěpánek, 7–6 (1), 0–6, 7–6 (6). In the fourth round, he avenged Juan Carlos Ferrero for his Australian Open loss 6–2 6–2. He lost in the quarterfinals against Mardy Fish, 3–6, 7–6 (5), 6–7 (4), in a very tough match. He teamed up with Guillermo Cañas in doubles, but lost a close match in the second round. He then lost at the 2008 Monte Carlo Masters to eventual finalist Roger Federer 5-7, 6-2, 6-2. In Barcelona, he was the third seed, but was eliminated by Stanislas Wawrinka in the third round. At the 2008 Rome Masters, he fell in his debut to Nicolás Almagro 6-4, 7-5.

At the French Open, Nalbandian suffered a shock loss in the second round to Frenchman Jeremy Chardy. After being two sets up and seemingly in control, he lost the next three to hand Chardy the win; 3-6 4-6 6-2 6-1 6-2. After the French Open Nalbandian made his debut at the grass courts of Queen's Club Championships in order to prepare for Wimbledon. He reached the Semi Finals where he lost heavily to world number three Novak Djokovic 6-1 6-0.

At Wimbledon, Nalbandian suffered an early exit for the second straight Grand Slam tournament, going down to wild card Frank Dancevic in straight sets.

All the above was from Wikipedia. My personal opinion is that he is not good enough. The only Grand Slam final he reached (Wimbledon 2002) was at a time when men's tennis had few superstars, between the end of the Sampras era and the start of Federer's domination. It is easy to see how Lleyton Hewitt, top ranked then, has now dropped to no. 28. Also, his 2005 win in the Shanghai Tennis Masters Cup over Federer only happened because Federer was injured partway through the final (even then the last two sets he won 7-5 and in a tiebreak). I also think Argentine supremacy of the tennis world was a flash in the pan: Guillermo Coria and Gaston Gaudio has disappeared off the radar, Mariano Puerta and Guillermo Canas both gave positive drugs test, and the likes of Juan Ignacio Chela, Juan Monaco and Jose Acasuso are simply not good enough. So I feel that Nalbandian will go the same way as Coria and Gaudio and not reach the top 8 again, let alone challenge the Big 3.

Answer 2

I agree with the poster above who compares Nalby with Safin. Extremely talented and could easily be right up there with Fed, Rafa and Djokovic. The main problem-FOCUS. I've been watching Nalbandian's playing all year and it seems like he's just not focused and has his head into the game 100%. I love him, I think he's really hot,LOL, if he would just focus and concentrate more on tennis then whatever else is distracting him outside of tennis, we could see allot more things from him.

Answer 3

His form as of late reminds me of Ivan Ljubicic's form. Ljubicic used to be right up there with the best. He is now sitting at 38th in the world.

Answer 4

I like Nalby. I hope he returns. He really has a ton of talent. Just had a ton of personal tragedies also. Poor guy.

Answer 5

Nadal just stepped up another few rungs on the ladder is what happened KooKee. Maybe he's doing a Phillipousous!(Nalbandian, that is)

Answer 6

Nalbandian has a similar head issues like Safin. He had almost won many Slams, and has all of the technical weapons. He is not consistent, injury ( all true ? ) prone, weight problems, and his crazy love for fast cars. He olny wins only when he is 100 % committed to.