"Whether they win or lose, when they are around, the tournament feels different" - David Nalbandian on Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic's legacy
David Nalbandian has opened up about the enduring legacy of the Big 3 of Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic. The Argentine feels the presence of the Big 3 adds a certain shine to tournaments, even if they suffer early exits.
The trio are widely regarded as three of the best players in the game's history and have been the epitome of sustained excellence and longevity. Nadal (21), Federer (20) and Djokovic (20) are the all-time leaders in terms of Grand Slam titles and also sit atop the Masters 1000 leaderboard, with Djokovic (37) ahead of Nadal (36) and Federer (28).
21. Grand. Slams. History. Made.🙌
@RafaelNadal makes history breaking the record for most Grand Slams men’s singles titles. Congratulations, Rafa!🇪🇸
#AusOpen | #AO2022 | #Rafa21 https://t.co/JL0vwzQ2AK
While Nadal and Djokovic are still going strong, Federer hasn't been in action since Wimbledon last year. However, the Swiss superstar isn't contemplating retirement just yet. All three players remain huge draws wherever they play, considering their stellar exploits in the game over the years.
Commenting on the same during an interaction on ATP Tennis Radio at the ongoing Madrid Masters, Nalbandian said:
"Whether they win or lose, when they are around, the tournament feels different. This let's have in second: title:"Whether they win or lose, when they are around, the tournament feels different."
Explaining how difficult it is to play the Big 3 of Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic, the Argentine said that one needs to be prepared to suffer.
"Against those players, it's always tough matches, very close matches, very mental matches. Have to be able to suffer, have to be able to fight, be able to miss, be able to do everything."
If Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer weren't there, I would have had more chances to be a top-2 player: David Nalbandian
David Nalbandian was a fine player during his time, rising to a career-high World No. 3.
He opined that had it not been for the Big 3, he could have been a top-two player or even the No. 1.
"What a shame I played in the same decade as them, because if they weren't there, I (would have) had more chances to be No. 1, No. 2. But that's sport."
Nalbandian won his only two Masters 1000 titles, beating Federer and Nadal in both tournaments, in 2007.
In the indoor hardcourt of Madrid that year, he floored Nadal, Djokovic and Federer in successive matches to win his first Masters 1000 title. More than a decade later, he remains the only player to have beaten each member of the Big 3 in the same tournament.
On this day, in 2007...David Nalbandian completed an unprecedented sweep of the Big Three—Federer, Nadal and Djokovic—to win the Madrid Masters.
@joeldrucker on @nalbandiandavid's magnum opus: tennis.com/news/articles/… https://t.co/biGDkcUT5c
A week after his Madrid triumph, Nalbandian beat Roger Federer in the third round in Paris and Rafael Nadal in the final to win his second Masters 1000 title.