Roger Federer vs David Nalbandian Epic ROLLERCOASTER Final | ATP Finals 2005 Extended Highlights 

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some context for this match - this was the final match of the 2005 season and Federer was carrying a tour best 81-3 record going into this final. Federer had already beaten Nalbandian during the RR stage and was also riding a 24 (!) match consecutive win streak in finals. Winning this match would have also equaled the record for highest win rate in a season (held by John McEnroe in 1984, 82W-3L). This was Federer at his most untouchable. He had no real rival at this point. His all-court game was near perfection - watch his footwork and strokes in these highlights, it was peak effortlessness which translated into absolute dominance. His 2005 season cemented his legend status and laid the groundwork for "we might be witnessing the GOAT" whispers and created the monster of a player that never lost and won every title. Nalbandian was no slouch and has a career resume of Herculean efforts himself, but for this year and at this time, it was unthinkable for Federer to lose. But Nalbandian turned in the peak match of his career to win what would turn out to be his most prestigious title. Truly one of the goat matches, especially on indoor hard, and the defining match of the Tennis Master's Cup's stint in Shanghai.

Watched it on TV when I was 12. Arguably the best TF final. And Nalbandian had such a BRILLIANT backhand. I wish they could go back to best of 5 for the ATP Finals final...

An absolute tennis genius. All he needed was some ambition and motivation and he would've been an all time great.

This is Real Tenis in pure form, magic from both sides.

Nalbandian was such a clean ball striker. He has, in my opinion, one of the greatest two-handers of all-time.

These 2 super talents make all of today's players look like bummers

It was such a joy to watch Nalbandian !

Nalbandian is actually so underappreciated.

One of the best matches ever. You can’t see those now. Two agressive players on ultra fast surface making tons of winners and little errors, not scared to go to net with high volley skills. We are left with brainless baseliners boring us on slow ass surfaces.

Beautiful ball stricking... just, pure talent🇦🇷👏👏

God how was this 18 years ago?! Scary! I'd only been following tennis less than 6 months at this point and I remember it like it happened only a few months ago - definitely one of the best matches I can remember off the top of my head with so much drama and twists and turns, incredible!

Best ATP final ever

They moved the ball around so much. Unlike the 30 crosscourt shots we see now days.

ESTE FUE Y ES EL MEJOR PARTIDO DE LA HISTORIA DE LOS ATP FINALS!!! Lo mejor que lo gano un argentino al mejor Federer que estaba en su prime, ese año Federer gano 2 grand slam (Wimbledon y US Open),grande David Nalbandian un titulo historico y legendario en el tenis,saludos desde Caracas,Venezuela. Buen video

The ease of Nalbandian's backhand is similar to Fognini's.

This match got me into tennis. Davvid had the best backhand Ever

Too bad that Nalbandian never won a slam ! He was so talented

two artists

This is one of best matches which was played of David.

For me both Nalbandian and Agassi have the best BH in history ,he should have won the 5th set easily but kudos to injured roger for fighting to the end ,had he won this final he would have won 5 in row 2003-2007 🇨🇭🐐🎾 Btw the great Chinese fans helped also bringing roger back into the match, they still love him a lot to the moment.

Me encanta como jugaba este Argentino tremendo su clase

Nalbandian walking on water from 3rd set onwards, just got caught up by pressure in the final. Impressive level, and this backhand

What a great match and must say that David is so unapreciated. He was simply brilliant!!!!! ....one of federers toughest opponents. Ever

Wanna see more matches between nalbandian and federer in future too.........

@tennistv These highlights are amazing Very very good match reference that I just acknowledged right now Thank you so much

Best tennis match of all times ...I have never seen such match where unforced error is minimal for both players with great shots on both corners from both players...it's like video game... Roger at top form , world no - 1 is beaten...by David...can we believe that...he has played his lifetime match. First time I have seen Roger lose who was at top form.... I have never seen such match like this in my 20 yrs watching and following tennis and being God as Federer...I am in that Era.😅. But somehow I missed this match..or may be not remember. 😂

Nalbandian really didn't have any weakness you could hit too. He had an equally good backcourt and net. That's why he was so hard to beat when he was motivated to compete. Too bad that was often. He seemed satisfied going deep enough, getting a good check and jetting. As long as his rank was good enough, and he went deep enough to support his lifestyle.

Beautiful stuff.

It's REALLY an epic match~!!

I watched this match live :) its my flex.

greatest match on Masters Cup

This match might be the highest level tennis has ever witnessed.. I was starting to think it was this year's beijing sinner vs medvedev but looking back.. nope.. it's still this. Might be biased cause these 2 are also my favourite players of all time and not in the obvious order. Watching this if you forget who they are at times it looks like they are 2 baseliners.. but then they come to the net and.. 🤯

Masters at work!

Nalbandian is a huge troublesome to others specially for federer

Nalbandian 2002-2007 showed us on several occasions that he could reach the top if he wanted but. This match against Federer was a great demonstration. That he has never won a Grand Slam is incredible. The best Argentine tennis player since Guillermo Vilas.

A minute of silence, for those who didn´t see this match live

This is why we played best of 5 sets.

Rivalry worthy of final.

That backhand!! Rey david

Best backhand in ATP Tour(Nalbandian)

Mi idolo del tenis david nalbandian que reves por favor en mi opinion unos de los mejores

el revés a dos manos de David es de los más bellos que he visto nunca.

nalbandian had a really high tennis IQ

30-0 serving for it after being down 0-4 in the 5th. It's like God scripted Fed's best matches to be especially painful.

tenkiu

Ridiculous!

По ходу это его лучший поединок был..обыграть Федю в его золотое время камбэком!

Anyone who speaks of that time as a "weak era" clearly has no idea what they're talking about.

Didn't Federer have ankle injury during this period, his ankle started to act up during 3rd set, and that is why he lost 3rd and 4th sets very easily and was being dominated at last set until he somehow came back and pushed tb despite pain ? I think he was on crutches just a few weeks ago before this match and even in AO 06 his ankle was a bit iffy if my memory serves me right. I wish they would have put MTO, ankle wrapping (pretty sure there was one) and commentary about that on these highlights so it would give context to people who don't know and did not follow tennis back then. Otherwise last 3 sets don't make sense, no matter how great Nalbandian was.

Not sure if David Nalbandian or Carlos Alcaraz

@9:40 David Nalbandian Special

Nalbandian,djokovic,nadal are the players that beat federer consistently

Due to potential Nalbandian was maybe one of the greatest of all time but unfortunately his mental strenght was not the highest. Way too many unforced errors in most of the important matches in his career like the Wimbledon final against Hewitt.

Roger had problems serving out matches even in 2005.

Poonished. Smooshed. Roosted and toosted.

🥲

hi

"Weak era" said some people... My god.

So Fed would have another ATP finals if was B03 - much tougher to win titles back then with B05s

Nalbandian should have been the Murray of his era, but was too much of a lazy curmudgeon.

why it sound like theyre running on a wooden deck lol

Nadal never won this tournament and this is so interesting

Nalbandian so overrated by some people in the comments lol

Interesting fact I’m witnessing is that if you’d watch ATP finals right now with guys like Djokovic, Sinner, Alcaraz, Rune there will be no way for a win for 2005 version of Roger or Nalbandian. It’s crazy how tennis improved over the last 15 years. Those shots in 2005 would be an easy win for nowadays tennis players in top 10.

Weakest era of tennis, no wonder it was easy for Federer and Nadal to win GS xd