Ilie Nastase

Ilie Năstase was a Romanian former professional tennis player. He was ranked as the inaugural World No. 1 in men's singles by the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) for 40 weeks.

Năstase is one of ten players to have won over 100 total ATP-level titles, with 64 in singles and 45 in doubles.

Player Profile and Personal Life

Ilie Theodoriu Năstase was born on July 19, 1946, in Bucharest, Romania. He stands 182 cm tall and he is right-handed with a one-handed backhand.

He has been married five times and has five children. Năstase is also known for being the first professional sports figure to sign an endorsement contract with Nike in 1972.

Professional Career

Năstase turned professional in 1969 after a successful amateur career that began in 1966.

He went on to win two major singles titles, with his first coming at the 1972 US Open, where he defeated Arthur Ashe. He followed this with a French Open victory in 1973, a tournament he won without dropping a single set. His career totals include 64 singles titles and 45 doubles titles, among which are seven majors in total across singles, men's doubles, and mixed doubles.

He also won the Masters Grand Prix year-end championships four times. Năstase was a central figure on the Romanian Davis Cup team, leading his country to the finals three times.

He retired from professional tennis in 1985.

Career Record

Singles

• Career record: 1144–490
• Career titles: 64
• Highest ranking: No. 1 (August 23, 1973)

Best Grand Slam Singles Performances

• Australian Open: 1R (1981)
• French Open: W (1973)
• Wimbledon: F (1972, 1976)
• US Open: W (1972)

Doubles

• Career record: 512–218
• Career titles: 45
• Highest ranking: No. 9 (March 1, 1976)

Best Grand Slam Doubles Performances

• French Open: W (1970)
• Wimbledon: W (1973)
• US Open: W (1975)

Mixed Doubles

Best Grand Slam Mixed Doubles Performances

• Wimbledon: W (1970, 1972)
• US Open: F (1972)

Team competitions

• Davis Cup: F (1969, 1971, 1972)