David Nalbandian achieved a feat unmatched in tennis history at the 2007 Madrid Masters, becoming the only player to defeat Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic consecutively within the same tournament. At the time, these three titans occupied the top three positions in the ATP rankings, amplifying the extraordinary nature of Nalbandian’s accomplishment.
Nalbandian, affectionately known as “King David” by fans, admitted in a recent interview that the magnitude of his achievement only truly dawned on him after the tournament concluded. He described the experience as “incredible,” reflecting that in that dominant era, facing and defeating top players was a necessary part of a successful tournament run.
His path to the Madrid title was a gauntlet of the era’s most formidable talents. Nalbandian systematically overcame Nadal in the quarterfinals, narrowly defeated Djokovic in a tense semifinal clash, and then staged a comeback against Federer in the final match.
This remarkable performance in Madrid was not an isolated incident. Just weeks later, Nalbandian continued his stellar form by winning the Paris Masters, once again defeating both Federer and Nadal, further solidifying his dominance during that period.
The Argentine player, who reached the Wimbledon final in 2002 and won the 2005 Tennis Masters Cup, consistently ranked within the Top 10 for five consecutive seasons. However, the 2007 Madrid Open stands out even within his impressive career, representing a peak of performance against historically significant opponents.
Nalbandian reflected on the immense challenge faced by players outside the “Big Three” during that era, noting that facing at least two of them was a regular occurrence. He acknowledged the rarity of his feat, stating it was “not going to happen again,” yet emphasized that it was the norm to compete against such elite competition.
Nearly two decades later, Nalbandian’s Madrid Masters run remains an unparalleled display of skill and resilience, a testament to his ability to conquer the very best when they were at their absolute peak. His victory in the Spanish capital underscores a unique moment in tennis history.
This extraordinary sequence of victories highlights the strategic brilliance and mental fortitude Nalbandian displayed under immense pressure. The Argentine’s ability to consistently outmaneuver and defeat the era’s most dominant forces cemented his legacy as a player capable of truly extraordinary achievements.
