Ilie NastaseIlie Nastase

Ilie NăstaseIlie Năstase was the World no. 1 tennis was the World no. 1 tennis player between 1973 (August 23) and 1974 player between 1973 (August 23) and 1974 (June 2). He is one of the five players in (June 2). He is one of the five players in history to win more than 100 ATP history to win more than 100 ATP professional titles (57 singles and 45 in professional titles (57 singles and 45 in doubles). He was inducted into the doubles). He was inducted into the international tennis hall of fame in 1991. international tennis hall of fame in 1991. Năstase won seven Grand Slam titles: two in Năstase won seven Grand Slam titles: two in singles, three in men's doubles, and two in singles, three in men's doubles, and two in mixed doubles. He also won four ATP world mixed doubles. He also won four ATP world tour finals championships. In 2005, Tennis tour finals championships. In 2005, Tennis magazine ranked him as the 28th-best magazine ranked him as the 28th-best player of the preceding forty years. player of the preceding forty years.

CareerCareerAt the beginning of his At the beginning of his career in 1966 Năstase career in 1966 Năstase travelled around the world travelled around the world competing with his good competing with his good friend Ion Tiriac. friend Ion Tiriac. Together, they Together, they represented Romania in represented Romania in the Davis Cup the Davis Cup competition, being three competition, being three times runners up: in times runners up: in 1969, 1971and 1972.1969, 1971and 1972.

In 1971, Năstase was the runner-up at the In 1971, Năstase was the runner-up at the French Open. where he lost the final in four sets French Open. where he lost the final in four sets to Jan Kodes. In December, Năstase won his to Jan Kodes. In December, Năstase won his first ATP world tour finals.first ATP world tour finals.In 1973 he was in sensational form. By winning In 1973 he was in sensational form. By winning 17 tournaments, including the French Open, a 17 tournaments, including the French Open, a doubles title at Wimbledon, a third ATP world doubles title at Wimbledon, a third ATP world tour finals, Năstase was the undisputed World tour finals, Năstase was the undisputed World no. 1 that year. no. 1 that year.

Considered one of the most gifted tennis Considered one of the most gifted tennis players in history, Ilie Nastase was noted players in history, Ilie Nastase was noted both for his sorcery with the racket and his both for his sorcery with the racket and his ability to entertain, amusing spectators with ability to entertain, amusing spectators with his antics and mimicry. Even during a his antics and mimicry. Even during a crucial phase of a match, he was likely to crucial phase of a match, he was likely to do something bizarre that would entertain do something bizarre that would entertain the crowd. Nicknamed the the crowd. Nicknamed the Bucharest Bucharest BuffoonBuffoon, Nastase could master all the , Nastase could master all the shots, playing either baseline or serve-and-shots, playing either baseline or serve-and-volley. One of the fastest players, he is volley. One of the fastest players, he is remembered for his magnificent lobs and remembered for his magnificent lobs and retrieves. Nastase could apply a retrieves. Nastase could apply a discomforting spin to his shots, being an discomforting spin to his shots, being an expert at putting the ball just beyond an expert at putting the ball just beyond an opponent’s reach. His greatest weakness opponent’s reach. His greatest weakness was a fragile nervous system and erratic was a fragile nervous system and erratic temperament, but when he maintained his temperament, but when he maintained his concentration during a match, he could concentration during a match, he could conjure up the most devastating tennis, conjure up the most devastating tennis, being regarded as a tennis magician or an being regarded as a tennis magician or an artist creating with great originality and artist creating with great originality and panache. panache.

Presentation made by Andrei Cosma Presentation made by Andrei Cosma

(7(7thth grade) grade)

Coordinating teacher: LuminiCoordinating teacher: Luminiţa Trandafirţa Trandafir

The The end!!!end!!!