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In the world of professional tennis, only a select few manage to etch their names in history by winning one of the four prestigious Grand Slam titles. However, the dominance of Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, and Novak Djokovic—who collectively hold an astounding 66 Grand Slam titles—left many talented players without a major despite their brilliance. Former ATP player Steve Johnson believes Tomas Berdych is at the top of that list.
On the latest episode of the Nothing Major podcast, Johnson said, “He has got to be potentially the best player to never win a slam. I think it’s him, and maybe Sasha (Alexander Zverev) at the moment. Given the era Berdych was in, it’s tough to do.”
Berdych’s Career: Consistency Without the Crown
Tomas Berdych, an illustrious Czech tennis player, saw in the course of a dazzling 17-year stint in the ATP Tour from 2002 through 2019; he was a permanent fixture in the business end of major tournaments, having at least 17 quarterfinals to his credit. His only final appearance in a Grand Slam came in 2010 at Wimbledon, where he stunned almost everyone with his impeccable wins against two giants of the game.
Berdych's journey to the final was an absolutely fairy tale. He defeated the defending champion, Federer, in the quarterfinals with a score of 6-3, 3-6, 6-1, 6-4, whereas in the semifinals he marched over Djokovic in straight sets. But there was the World No. 1 of that time, Nadal, waiting for him to ensure that fairy tales do come with an end.
The crushing loss to Nadal in Berdych's Wimbledon 2010 Final
A final showdown at Wimbledon against the more seasoned champion, Nadal, put both the skill and steel of Berdych to the test. Having previously won one of the greatest finals in history against Roger Federer in 2008, Nadal was determined to regain his title from the All England Club. Berdych was firing away with aggressive tactics and cracked groundstrokes, while Nadal experienced heart and soul.
Nadal put an unfair curb on Berdych's dreams and aspirations by winning even more powerfully with dignity at 6-3, 7-5, 6-4, thus giving the Czech no window of opportunity for a Grand Slam glory. Two years earlier, Nadal had needed five sets to defeat Federer, while Berdych fell in three, giving his opponent glory without need for undue stress.
Sam Querrey Praises Berdych’s Elite Consistency
Berdych’s talent and consistency earned him the admiration of his peers, including former American player Sam Querrey, who highlighted his ability to consistently compete at the highest level. “Berdych was so incredibly good, his ball striking was insane. He got wins over Fed, Nadal, Djokovic—you name it,” Querrey said.
“I am not going to name names in the current generation, but Berdych, ranked six or seven for all those years, is so much better than the guys ranked five to nine right now. He was such an incredibly tough out. I feel like if I went on his Wikipedia right now, the guy was in the quarter-final of every Grand Slam and Masters series for 10 straight years. He was so talented. Without the top three, I give Berdych a handful of slams.”
Berdych’s Near Misses and Legacy
While Berdych never captured a Grand Slam title, his career is filled with remarkable achievements. He made four other semi-final appearances at the highest level, constantly challenging the best in the game. Berdych’s thunderous serve and powerful groundstrokes made him a formidable opponent, and his longevity in the sport speaks volumes about his consistency and dedication.
