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Bucharest Baffoon: Ilie Nastase No. 1 ranking: 23rd August 1973 The Bucharest Buffoon, Ilie Nastase, a player so naturally talented, but temperamental, that his sense of humour and on-court fun led to him getting carried away, often to the detriment to his play. The right-hander was quick and athletic, good natured and friendly. He lobbed and retrieved with expert precision and could play at the net or from the baseline, thus becoming the first internationally recognised Romanian.
His small country with the help of Ion Tiriac rose to three Davis Cup finals, losing each time to Stan Smith's American's in 1969, 1971-72. He made his Cup debut in 1966 and 18-years later finished with a record of 109 victories out of 146, in 52 ties. Tiriac and Nastase reached the final of the 1966 French Championship doubles, but lost to Clark Graebner and Dennis Ralston. By 1970, Nastase was beginning to assert himself as a champion, winning the Italian and U.S. Indoor singles. His Davis Cup and Wimbledon heartache of 1972 was consolidated by his only Grand Slam grass-court singles victory over Arthur Ashe, in the U.S. Open final at Forest Hills. By 1973, the Romanian was at his peak, deservedly gaining the end of year number one crown, with emphatic performances at the Italian, French and 13 other tournaments. That season he won 15 of the 31 tournaments he entered, with a 118-17 win/loss record. He won the season ending Masters four-times 1971-73 and 1975, appearing in the 1974 five-set final defeat by Guillermo Vilas. He won 57 singles and 51 doubles titles, amassing $2,076,791 in prize money, ranking in the Top Ten, eight times between 1970 and 1979, peaking in top spot in 1973. Grand Slam Record French Open Singles winner 1973; Singles finalist 1971; Doubles winner 1970; Doubles finalist 1973 Wimbledon Singles finalist 1972, 1976; Doubles winner 1973 U.S. Open Singles winner 1972; Doubles winner 1975 Tournament Record (inc. Davis Cup) Romania Davis Cup team member 1966-81 losing side 1969, 1971-72 |
