In the history of Romanian sport there are a few names that went beyond performance and became symbols. One of them is, without doubt, Ilie Năstase, the first world leader in the ATP rankings and the first Romanian to win a Grand Slam singles title. Born in Bucharest, at a time when Romanian tennis had little international visibility, Năstase rose to dominate the world circuit and to be applauded standing in New York, Paris, or London. His extraordinary talent, unpredictable personality, and charisma that electrified the stands turned him into a unique character in the white sport. But beyond the spectacle, Ilie Năstase was a fierce competitor, an innovator of the game, and an ambassador of Romania in an era when every victory mattered enormously for the country’s image.

From the child of Bucharest to national champion

Ilie Năstase was born on July 19, 1946, in Bucharest. He discovered tennis at the children’s section of the C.C.A. club, today’s Steaua Club, and his talent quickly became evident. In 1959 he was already national champion in the “children” category, a performance followed by the national junior title in 1962. His rise continued naturally, and in 1967 and 1968 he became national champion in the seniors category.

At a time when Romanian athletes had limited access to international competitions, Năstase managed to stand out through a creative, varied, and spectacular style of play. He was fast, tactically intelligent, and capable of improvising in the most tense moments. These qualities were to transform him, in just a few years, into one of the most feared players on the world circuit.

In 1970 he entered the world Top 20, confirming that Romania had a player capable of fighting the greatest champions of the time. For Romanian tennis, this was a turning point.

The first Grand Slam title and consecration at the US Open

The year 1972 brought the first major historic moment. At the US Open, a tournament that at that time was played on grass, Ilie Năstase became the first Romanian to win a Grand Slam singles title. Starting as the fourth seed, he overcame formidable opponents and produced the ultimate surprise in the final.

In the last act he defeated the American Arthur Ashe, the sixth seed, in a dramatic five-set match: 3–6, 6–3, 6–7, 6–4, 6–3. Throughout the tournament, he nullified the chances of other top seeds such as Stan Smith, Ken Rosewall, and Rod Laver. His victory had a tremendous impact: Romania officially entered the map of the great powers of men’s tennis.

The commentator of the 1972 final called him “the most powerful weapon with a tennis racket of the Romanian Army,” a reference to the fact that he was registered with Steaua and held military status. In singles, Ilie Năstase remains to this day Romania’s only champion at the US Open.

The year 1973: the peak of his career and world No. 1

If 1972 was the year of consecration, 1973 was the year of absolute glory. At Roland Garros, the most important clay-court tournament, Năstase won the title without losing a single set, an impressive performance at that level. Also in 1973 he prevailed in Rome, and the success propelled him to the first position in the ATP rankings.

On August 23, 1973, he officially became the first world leader in the history of the ATP rankings, a position he held until June 2, 1974, for 40 weeks. It was a defining moment not only for him, but for Romanian sport as a whole.

In the same year he triumphed in doubles at Wimbledon, alongside his good friend Jimmy Connors. Năstase demonstrated that he was a complete player, capable of excelling both in singles and doubles.

The “Golden Racket” and worldwide recognition

In February 1974, in New York, Ilie Năstase received the “Golden Racket” trophy, awarded annually to the best player in the world, a distinction instituted in 1968. The athlete recalled that the entire hall rose to its feet to applaud him. The moment, which took place in a restaurant in New York, in front of prominent personalities, deeply moved him.

For Năstase, it was not only an individual recognition, but a validation of Romanian tennis on the international stage. It was proof that an athlete coming from Eastern Europe could dominate the world circuit in an extremely competitive era.

Impressive record and performances in the Davis Cup

Throughout his career, Ilie Năstase won 87 singles tournaments (59 recognized by ATP) and 51 doubles titles (45 officially recorded). He triumphed four times at the Masters Tournament (1971, 1972, 1973, 1975), confirming his status as a dominant player of his generation.

In doubles, he won the title at Roland Garros in 1970 alongside Ion Țiriac, at Wimbledon in 1973, and at the US Open in 1975 alongside Jimmy Connors. In mixed doubles he won Wimbledon in 1970 and 1972, together with Rosemary Casals.

Between 1966 and 1985 he represented Romania in the Davis Cup, accumulating 109 victories and qualifying three times for the final (1969, 1971, 1972). His devotion to the national team was rewarded in 2013 with the Commitment Award granted by the ITF.

His last tournament won was in 1985, in Tel Aviv, in doubles, alongside Brad Gilbert. He officially retired in 1985, in Toulouse.

Distinctions, recognitions, and legacy

Ilie Năstase was named four times “Romania’s Best Athlete of the Year” and is the only Romanian included in the International Tennis Hall of Fame. In 2005, Tennis Magazine ranked him 28th among the 40 greatest players of the last 40 years.

He received the National Order “Star of Romania” in the rank of Officer, was promoted to the rank of major general (retired), and decorated by the French state with the title of Knight of the Legion of Honour. King Michael I awarded him the Royal Decoration “Nihil Sine Deo.”

In 2015, a group of the Tour Finals was named “Ilie Năstase,” in tribute to the four titles won in that competition.

Beyond the court: academies, foundations, and literature

After retirement, Ilie Năstase continued to play in exhibition matches, impressing with the same spectacular technique. He founded the “Ilie Năstase” Tennis Academy, dedicated to training children and juniors, and supported numerous charitable actions.

He is also the author of novels written in French – “Le filet,” “Break Point,” “Tie-break,” “The Net” – and in 2008 launched his autobiography “Mr. Năstase” in Paris, at a charitable event dedicated to children suffering from cancer.

Ilie Năstase was not only a champion. He was a pioneer, an artist of the racket, and a trailblazer. The first ATP world No. 1 was a Bucharester, and his name remains forever inscribed in the history of world tennis. 

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