Roger Federer vs David Nalbandian 2004 Australian Open QF Highlights

Roger Federer vs David Nalbandian 2004 Australian Open Quarterfinal Highlights

[@Cerph]

Two of the most fluid, graceful players of all time.

[@howiegoestohollywood3572]

Hard to believe Nalbandian never won a major. I still think he was one of the best to ever pick up a racquet, slam or no slam.

[@renatoamaraldemiranda2558]

Yes I agree

[@stevennorris7181]

one of the best yet he was only in one slam final, and he lost to Hewitt lol, next youd say roddick was one of the best, such a fedtard.

[@sergiopeskin3313]

at least he won masters cup

[@Nill757]

yes any other era besides Federer he’s number 1 for awhile. But same is true for some others. Blake, Agassi, Davydenko, Roddick, Nalbandian. Blake beat everybody his #3 year, beat Nadal couple times, except Fed. Roddick w. no Fed is #1 for a year maybe, not weeks. Agassi maybe #1 again 2004 w no Fed. Basically, all those guys who Houston Masters that year could have worn the crown, w no Fed. 😅

[@RM-os3oh]

@@Nill757 I don't believe Nalbandian trained that hard to be number 1 for a while. But it's one of the best players I've ever seen when he was on form.

[@robjames1037]

So clear how much faster the game was until the mid-2000s when things started to slow down. Even without serve and volley on every point the points were still short with a lot of winners.

[@cloak9001]

That is blatantly not true. The Wimbledon grass was changed for the 2001 edition as well as the balls modified the same year. Guess who benefited from this change first? Federer. Professional tennis association would not slow down the multitudes of courts, they would modify the smaller balls, to "slow the game" down to effectively end the 1990's serve-bot-fest era.

[@Divvy21]

@@cloak9001Wimbledon courts changed in 2002, not 2001. In 2001, the final was a ivanisevic rafter final with a lot of serve and volley. The next year it was a Hewitt Nalbandian final with no serve and volley

[@魚-c3d]

Wow, you just publicly lied. The game from the baseline has gotten much faster and heavier since 2004 and players are way better at sustaining pace while being fairly more athletic. You genuinely just need eyes to notice this, but perhaps you don't have any... Now let's address your second lie, which is to say that courts began to slow down in the mid 2000s. You obviously said that to comfort your die-hard Federer fan mind to reassure you into thinking that the main reason why fed started to lost more after 2007 is that... courts suddenly got slower, right ? That too is wrong sir, the first surface to ever be officially slowed was at the Paris masters after the ace slugfest of *1993* final. Then followed Wimbledon in 1995 and 2002. Fun fact (that completely destroys your fragile point) : even before the AO surface was changed to plexicushion (blue stuff), players (including HEWITT) used to complain that the rebound ace was too slow. You don't need sharp eyes to notice that long rallies were ALREADY being played in those times. In fact, the ace % of the tour has generally crept up in the last 20 years. So, how about you stop spreading misinformation? 😉

[@mosemobuckland4287]

Marat Safin Nikolay Davydenko David Nalbandian

[@wxsty]

this is tennis...two of the cleanest hitters in tennis history

[@flacarrubba]

And smartest

[@gts8919]

Agassi up there but yeah...

[@bbbazzinga]

​@gts8919 Safin also goes up there, even if he had a short prime period.

[@cuervosapuri1138]

Federer's serve saved him that night because Nalbandian was playing really good tennis. I still remember that 15-40 at 5-5 in the first set when David had two break points. Then, Roger made 4 aces in a row. Those points changed the whole match. How fast the court was at that time, and how clean these two could hit the ball. Amazing ballstriking.

[@cineastik8220]

That fast court was great for Federer‘s serve. Not so much after 2007 when it was significantly slowed down. Then again, Federer profited from a slower Wimbledon court after the Sampras era, and then later, after about 2005, other pure baseliners could take advantage of rather unified surface speed. I‘d love to see the return of fast Wimbledon or fast AO, while still seeing FO and USO remaining slower…

[@fejuncor]

the two most talented players I've seen play in my 36 years following tennis... you hit the right spot, maybe the only difference between these two is the serve because Federer is taller and has a bigger reach. Serving is always a cornerstone of an aggressive tennis player. And Nalbandian didn't have a big booty, and although he was solid in that foundation, it wasn't a weapon that could save him in decisive moments. Different from Federer, who was always an excellent server.

[@iggypopisgod9]

AO Category 4 - Medium-Fast

[@bbbazzinga]

​@@fejuncorVery different players yet almost equally talented. Federer had an overall better serve and more powerful forehand while nalbandian had a better topspin backhand.

[@jonathonletts8972]

These weak Era arguments r nonsense. Safin.nalbandian agassi all still near peak and Roddick hewitt in prime. Feds forehand was the difference.

[@gus4281]

By the time, besides prime Federer we had Nalbandian, Safin and the latest years of Agassi, today we have hurkacz, medvedev and zverev, who are as entertaining as watching movie credits.

[@akashgabriel8362]

😂😂😂 movie credits nice one

[@keithwatson7434]

Suddenly the latest years of Nadal disappears 🤣🤣🤣Anything to discredit Djokovic's greatness and superiority over Federer😂😂😂

[@claudioveradelcanto4157]

So much talent on one single court

[@alvisedoria8667]

In 2004 Federer's forehand was truly an astonishing shot.

[@Nill757]

And in 2005, 2006, until he down shifter racket head power.

[@swissgenius]

Fat david was a real genius off the ground, feared no one and could bang with the best of them. Slam or no slam, his two week masters run in Paris and Madrid makes him an immortal. One of the greats of his time.

[@RossBayCult]

This was his toughest match in that Australian Open. Not Hewitt or exhausted Safin in the final. Nalbandian was a beast though.

[@stupendous1068]

Nalbandian looks a lot like a young Mark Knopfler.

[@Lucian86]

Cleanest and most elegant players on tour

[@luigiguilli9346]

This was Rogers 2nd big hurdle after winning Wimbledon 2003. Beating his nemesis at the time and for career was very satisfying.

[@Walkman0007]

Nalbandian, so talented

[@acsaiyanbalce4610]

I could watch this all day and 2X on Sunday!! Both smooth operators!!

[@fejuncor]

os dois jogadores mais talentosos que eu vi jogar

[@Pelusaa-D10]

Lo salvo el primer saque ! David que lindo que sos culeadoooo, como se extraña verte jugar !

[@malekmoqaddam5806]

Nalbadian was a super talent. His serves were not as good as his backstrokes.

[@MI-ct9eh]

Brilliant match. Such high quality ball striking. A tough run for Federer's first HC major title.

[@endorstoi863]

Just passing through on my journey to watch every Federer match.

[@aisthpaoitht]

How far have you gotten?

[@endorstoi863]

@@aisthpaoitht Currently at Toronto 2008.

[@bobborghartgooglable]

That backhand from Nalbandian was something else. One of the best ever, for sure.

[@stacyaugust8241]

Looking at these old highlights you can see how much faster the courts were 16 years. Anybody who wants to know why Nadal and Djokovic 19 and 17 Slams need look no further than the dumbed down slow ass courts the tournaments went to after Roger started dominating.

[@springfield03sniper]

Stacy August it’s also crazy how when Fed won AO 17 and 18, everyone was talking about how “fast” the courts were playing at the time. Those courts couldn’t hold a candle to these.

[@alexmeechan15]

The biggest excuse RF fans use is slower courts lmao

[@draganduga2781]

Yes that's the only reason fedtard

[@魚-c3d]

@@draganduga2781 well that's one of the main reasons. Age difference and slowing down of surfaces partly made it up for other players. But ofc Nadal and djokovic are all time greats.

[@keithwatson7434]

24 and 22 baby. And don't conveniently forget how the courts slowed down in 02 and suddenly Federer went from a 1st rounder to a champion 🤣🤣🤣

[@munecodetorta]

12:37 EPIC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@munecodetorta]

Best 2 handed backhand in tennis history, no doubt.

[@flacarrubba]

@@munecodetorta Totally agree

[@MgoUmk]

thanks foir that

[@sasarasasarasa]

Tennis reaching "Art mode" level 😍

[@alvisedoria8667]

Federer's forehand was a thing of beauty.

[@ChristiaanRoest79]

It still is

[@SHVideografie]

@@ChristiaanRoest79 It has let him down in big matches last couple of years. The finals of Wimbledon this year for example. How many fh shanks in that last set tiebreak🤨

[@kakashihatake1029]

@@SHVideografie that's not the fh. That's him succumbing to Djokovic

[@paul5324]

@@kakashihatake1029 no

[@NamTran-xc2ip]

@@paul5324yes

[@ehmp-gl7yn]

Probably the only player who could play toe to toe against prime Federer (which was 2004-2007 in my humble opinion) on a hard court. Talent wise he should have won multiple Slams, let alone one, just like Mecir, Leconte or Rios

[@metanano359]

Safin

[@royxuliang310]

Anyone else perfer this style match over 2023 xx open in general?

[@andrewkarlsson8621]

federer reached 2004 Australian open Final and in 2020 To Australian open semi Final absolutely amazing player.

[@bojack99]

He won it in 2004

[@josemanuelmartinezfracchia7452]

Era un CRACK Nalbandian, no lo ayudo la constancia de trabajo diario (le gustaba mucho la joda), fue el unico o de los pocos que le hacia partidazos al gran Roger en su prime!!!

[@scottsterry8119]

Why are the commentators exclamations a split second before the end of the point? Are they prescient?

[@theol6790]

Probably because the video is not in 60fps

[@edwinivanrodriguez3769]

Nalbandian,djokovic,agassi,safin and Kafelnikov the best Two handed backhands ever

[@cineastik8220]

Federer‘s serve was brutal in this match, and definitely a game changer against Nalbandian who until then was a bit of a nemesis for him…

[@GregLohr]

Looking back, I'm surprised by how much more Federer telegraphed the kind of serve he was going to hit than he does now. Obviously his drop shot and backhand have improved with time, too.

[@milettetapalla7077]

Goat..

[@BrotherTree1]

Underrated match. What the heck is this magical sorcery?

[@juanpablom89]

Roger was ranked n°2 at the time, but it was crystal clear for everybody that he was the undisputed n°1 since the 2003 Tennis Masters Cup. No one was able to hold a candle to him, so it was no surprise to see him leaving Australia with his well deserved n°1 spot.

[@benparsons4979]

I mean, Nalbandian beat him at the US Open several months before this match

[@juanpablom89]

@@benparsons4979 Yeah, but Roger raised his level at the top after beating Agassi for the first time in the round robin of the 2003 TMC (in an extremely tough match). After that, his confidence went sky high and he was able to dismantle everyone on the tour (he even wiped the floor with Agassi in the TMC '03 final). I hoped Nalbandian could beat him in Australia 04, but it was almost impossible at the time.

[@MR-le5fc]

This should have been the rivalry of the 2000’s, had the talent and potential to be!!

[@fraerot]

Yes ladies and gentlemen, Nalbandian, Phillipoisses,Hewitt were some of the top opponents of Federer. Of course he was winning all ...until two boys have grown up and then it was over for Roger

[@mashizzung9990]

My God, the pace of game is so fast and fun those days

[@manivelan9672]

Wow!! What a match-up between two of the artists of all time!!

[@gatronix754]

at that time Federer only won 1 GS !!! Unbelievable

[@leoyon4140]

Feds is floating the masterclass of tennis is so crisp...

[@arielcowboy4085]

El cordo es el mejor jugador del mundo

[@flacarrubba]

Mi jugador favorito

[@vivalapatria3740]

Ahre que no. Pero jugaba tan buen tenis

[@3rarevolucionindustrial.in397]

No me digas que gano el suizo?

[@op-hd6ko]

Grande roger

[@peterkavanagh64]

Mr Nabaindian is to shoulder heavy his grip is picking up the excess and his weight of the racket is to much so accelerates the stress after a set

[@arifkhan-zl5tg]

Black days

[@user-ru2ib8eq6x]

Nalbandian’s backhand...! Geez, he could wind up and hit any angle at all, with that shot.

[@peterkavanagh64]

Mr Federer will exchange his current racket, till the ideas are set

[@chope58]

Esto es Tenis!

[@malkut444]

lacon

[@Raidersscm]

Too bad Nalbandian did not get in better shape.

[@tenja42]

This match has 10 highlight moments,

[@peterkavanagh64]

The racket weight is a no to mess with.

[@eyginhardnunziato2060]

Tennis is cool. :D

[@marianpalko2531]

Commentary out of sync?

[@vosharap]

Great match from Federer!

[@Sanlorenzofederal]

I miss this tennis so much

[@jeuneadulte340]

Vidéo en français ça fait plaisir

[@rominaculaon8300]

Too Talent.

[@ffallenaangel]

12:37

[@Nill757]

Strange how much better the footwork at net was back then compared to ATP today. Today its like they just don’t practice net, at all. First game 2nd set, see Feds net cord and Nalbandian comes to net with approach to Feds backhand. Nalbandian plays textbook. Split step w both feet towards the line favoring cover of DTL pass, and he’s set, neutral, ready to go either way, perfect timing. Fed goes backhand cross court pass and Nalbandian covers it w Stretch winner. By contrast, just rewatched Fed play Kyrios Laver cup and beat him 17, ‘18, ‘19. K comes to net w same shot and sets up dead center court not favoring line and Fed passes him DTL. K comes to net again w same shot and instead of setting up neutral he is still moving his body towards the line, Fed hits same cross court backhand as he did here against Nalbandian and beats K easily as of course he has no play at all. Then commentators exclaim Fed is unbeatable blak blah when K can’t play tennis at the net.

[@sylvio9771]

5:05

[@reneoaa885]

Federer hizo lo que quiso.

[@julianolivera7264]

Ni ahí, y a ese partido lo ví en vivo. Lo salvó mucho el primer saque ya que David tuvo varias chances. El partido fue parejo. Obviamente Federer hizo inclinar la balanza a su favor, pero nada que ver eso de que hizo lo que quiso, cómo si hubiera ganado con un triple 6-0.

[@hoszckar]

10:56 que culpa tiene la madre de Federer?

[@keithwatson7434]

A 4-set match with only 16 minutes of highlight, including 5 minutes of aces. Such a pain to watch. At first I thought it was JO's problem, but then I went to watch the actual match, and damn, JO, I apologize. The match is indeed that terrible 😅 So glad we're in a better world of tennis now.