David Nalbandian
An Argentine tennis maverick whose explosive two-handed backhand and fierce competitive spirit made him a giant-killer on every surface.
Born 1982 (age 44)·Argentine tennis player·Birthday: January 1·Millennials
Biography
David Nalbandian emerged from the small town of Unquillo, Argentina, to become one of the most formidable and tactically astute players of his generation. His breakthrough came in 2002 when, as a 20-year-old ranked outside the top 30, he stormed to the Wimbledon final, announcing himself with a brand of aggressive, all-court tennis that defied the era's specialization. Though a Grand Slam title ultimately eluded him, his 2005 Tennis Masters Cup victory, where he dismantled the world's top three players in succession, stands as a masterpiece of precision and power. Nalbandian's career was a study in contrasts: capable of breathtaking dominance, including two prestigious Masters 1000 wins on clay and hard court, yet often hampered by injury and inconsistency. His legacy is that of a complete player who, on his day, could beat anyone, anywhere, and who remains the only Argentine man to reach the semifinals at all four major tournaments.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
David was born in 1982, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When David Was Born
The biggest hits of 1982
#1 Movie
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial
Best Picture
Gandhi
#1 TV Show
Dallas
David's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1982Born
Michael Jackson releases Thriller
Gas: $1.22/galHome: $55,200Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Physical" — Olivia Newton-JohnBest Picture: Gandhi
1987Started school
Black Monday stock market crash
Gas: $0.90/galHome: $72,400Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Walk Like an Egyptian" — The BanglesBest Picture: The Last Emperor
1995Became a teenager
Oklahoma City bombing; Windows 95 released
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $96,500Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Gangsta's Paradise" — CoolioBest Picture: Braveheart
1998Could drive
Google founded; Clinton impeachment
Gas: $1.06/galHome: $107,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Too Close" — NextBest Picture: Shakespeare in Love
2000Could vote
Y2K passes without incident; contested Bush-Gore election
Gas: $1.51/galHome: $119,600Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Breathe" — Faith HillBest Picture: Gladiator
2003Turned 21
US invades Iraq; Human Genome Project completed
Gas: $1.59/galHome: $146,000Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"In Da Club" — 50 CentBest Picture: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
2012Turned 30
Curiosity rover lands on Mars; Sandy Hook shooting
Gas: $3.64/galHome: $143,200Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Somebody That I Used to Know" — GotyeBest Picture: Argo
2022Turned 40
Russia invades Ukraine; Queen Elizabeth II dies
Gas: $3.97/galHome: $348,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"As It Was" — Harry StylesBest Picture: Everything Everywhere All at Once
2026Age 44 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Won the 2005 Tennis Masters Cup, defeating world No. 1 Roger Federer in a commanding straight-sets final.
- Reached the 2002 Wimbledon final as an unseeded player, the first Argentine man to do so in the Open Era.
- Captured two Masters 1000 titles, winning in Madrid (2007) and Paris (2007).
- Is the only Argentine man to reach the semifinal stage at all four Grand Slam tournaments.
- Achieved a career-high singles ranking of world No. 3 in March 2006.
Did You Know?
He is an avid fan of rally car racing and has competed professionally in Argentina.
Nalbandian was disqualified from the 2012 Queen's Club final after kicking an advertising board and injuring a line judge.
He comes from a family of Armenian descent; his grandparents survived the Armenian Genocide.
He famously defeated both Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal in the same tournament on multiple occasions.
“I always tried to play my best tennis. Sometimes it worked, sometimes not, but I always gave everything.”
