Which is Nastase´s best ever match?

[kiki]

Well, hard to say.In terms of domination, his 73 RG and Rome titles compare to his last Masters title in 75, when he humilliated Bjorn Borg´s at Borg´s backyard at Stockholm.

The Masters is the event he clearly felt better at as he beat all his major contemporary foes there, and it includes Jimmy Connors and Bjorn Borg ( but not Guillermo Vilas¡¡).He did very well in the 73 tourney, defeating Newcombe ( in a match that decided the world´s best player of the year) and Okker, and his 72 win over Stan Smith is still considered as one of the best Masters finals of all time.He was great on old carpet, where his shotmaking, footwork and reflexes shone at its best.Curiously enough, he didn´t play too well at the WCT showcase; of all the major events of his era, that was probably his worst.

He should have probably beaten Smith at Wimbledon earlier on, but he was a case of nerves ( still their 72 final is considered ONE OF THE GREATEST EVER AT LONDON).He played excellent tennis to beat back to back Borg and Orantes in the Spanish Open in 73 and 74.

And he beat Laver and Kodes to win the Italian, which was also one of his faves...I was going to forget his great 72 USO final win over an excellent and motivated Ashe.That match shows what a megatalented player Ilie was when " on" and how damn good Ashe could be when motivated and free of slumps.

Which is your pick? what other memories do you have of that fantastic champion named Ilie Nastase?

 

[pc1]

Well, hard to say.In terms of domination, his 73 RG and Rome titles compare to his last Masters title in 75, when he humilliated Bjorn Borg´s at Borg´s backyard at Stockholm.

The Masters is the event he clearly felt better at as he beat all his major contemporary foes there, and it includes Jimmy Connors and Bjorn Borg ( but not Guillermo Vilas¡¡).He did very well in the 73 tourney, defeating Newcombe ( in a match that decided the world´s best player of the year) and Okker, and his 72 win over Stan Smith is still considered as one of the best Masters finals of all time.He was great on old carpet, where his shotmaking, footwork and reflexes shone at its best.Curiously enough, he didn´t play too well at the WCT showcase; of all the major events of his era, that was probably his worst.

He should have probably beaten Smith at Wimbledon earlier on, but he was a case of nerves ( still their 72 final is considered ONE OF THE GREATEST EVER AT LONDON).He played excellent tennis to beat back to back Borg and Orantes in the Spanish Open in 73 and 74.

And he beat Laver and Kodes to win the Italian, which was also one of his faves...I was going to forget his great 72 USO final win over an excellent and motivated Ashe.That match shows what a megatalented player Ilie was when " on" and how damn good Ashe could be when motivated and free of slumps.

Which is your pick? what other memories do you have of that fantastic champion named Ilie Nastase?

Kiki,

Question for you. Nastase at his absolute best versus any of the big four on a medium paced hard court, how does he do? The others are playing at their best also.

I think he would do quite well but I'm curious of your opinion.

Nastase also played some fantastic matches against an average player named Jimmy Connors. Made him look like a hacker at times.

 

[kiki]

Kiki,

Question for you. Nastase at his absolute best versus any of the big four on a medium paced hard court, how does he do? The others are playing at their best also.

I think he would do quite well but I'm curious of your opinion.

Nastase also played some fantastic matches against an average player named Jimmy Connors. Made him look like a hacker at times.

what do you mean by big four?

 

[kiki]

clearly, his worst one is the whole 1972 Davis Cup Final.

He also played very lousy tennis at 73 and 74 Wimbledon, he would have probably won both events had he made the final, although Kodes knew how to beat him and handle him when a major title was at stake...

 

[pc1]

what do you mean by big four?

The big four today is Djokovic, Federer, Nadal and Murray. How would Nastase due at his best against their best on a medium paced hard court? Nastase can serve with them. He had great mobility like they do. His volleying and touch are imo superior to any of them.

 

[kiki]

The big four today is Djokovic, Federer, Nadal and Murray. How would Nastase due at his best against their best on a medium paced hard court?

there were hardly hard court events then.Equipment is so different as is court speed
Nastase is one of those rare players that it really depended on himself.

 

[kiki]

There is a wonderful story he once told to Judith Elian, L´Equipe Tennis specialist and one of the most sensitive tennis journalists I can think of

He said that, like most romanians, lived on robbing ( the tale of the horse robbing), so he tried and tried and tried to rob his opponents concentration.His problem was that it was many times at his own´s concentration expense.

Nastase is the one player that could show all the range of his possibilities in one match, even one set.He could be playing the best and worst match of his life...in the same match.He is one of the most important personalities this game has known and, in spite of how nasty he could become, when you just watched and felt how much he enjoyed playing tennis and his life, well, he was very special.The most similar to Goolagong one can think of.

In spite of all the things he did to other players, the real great ones respected him and ALMOST ALL of them were fans of him.Look at Connors talking of him as his menthor; Borg, the ice man who never smiled on court, absolutely loved him and in an interview with Ellian said that Ilie was like his big brother.Orantes,Kodes,Vilas,Okker,Santana,Panatta,Gerulaitis were really close to him.Even Ashe said once that the only man he would ever allow a comment on his skin colour, would be Nastase.He genuinely liked him.That just says how special this guy was.

Connors and Borg took tennis to another dimension.But before them, it was Nastase.He contributed as bit as the other two ( and a few more personalities), to the concept of Golden Era of Tennis.If there is one player that was completely necessary to the game, it was Ilie Nastase.

 

[urban]

I am a bit more critical about Nastase. He often acted rather childish, and many of his antics were distracting the opponents and often upset himself. Like McEnroe, he should have been banned earlier in his career, to get more discipline. But many organizers pampered the pros of that era (and later on) too much.
I think, his career like others like Ashe, Okker, or old Laver were hampered by the fact, that they played too much, and couldn't focus enough on the big events. Nastase had the advantage that he played the lighter ITF circuit, and not the much harder WCT circuit until 1974, when his game broke down due to the rigors of that WCT tour. But nevertheless, he played too many tournaments on the Grand Prix, and couldn't conserve his fine form he had at the European spring events in 1973. Often underrated was his ability on indoor courts, he excelled early at the US indoor at Salisbury 1970, and had great matches with the old Laver at Philadelphia 1970, when he lost 6-7 in the third, and Wembley 1971, when he won a nailbiting 5 setter. His biggest asset was imo his body, he was fast, mobile, athletic, and flexible, and had strong wrists. Technically he wasn't as sound in his stroke production as Connors für example. His serve was underrated, but his volley lacked penetration. His groundies were reliable, but not overwhelming, his agility made him cover the court very well, and so his passing shots and offensive and defensive lobs were very good.

 

[Fintft]

^^^^
He was also a genius bud, something that the likes of Connors will never be.

 

[kiki]

coming back to topic.Which was his best perf?

I´ll help out with my souvenirs

Seen on TV: 75 Masters and 73 Roland Garros.72 Wimbledon, even if losing the final, would be up there as well
Live: 72 Masters and 73/74 Barcelona

 

[BlueB]

The one where he opened the umbrella on court. Don't remember what was it?

 

[kiki]

The one where he opened the umbrella on court. Don't remember what was it?

He lost it!!
He faced Dick Stockton on centre court,in 1974

 

[BlueB]

He lost it!!
He faced Dick Stockton on centre court,in 1974

Thanks Kiki!
Ah, no wonder I couldn't remember - I was 5 years old! I just remember that I laughed to death.

 

[kiki]

He had many other shows
When he played doubles with Tiriac,he put on a moustache.
When he mated Ashe,he painted his face Black
When asked why he said rules were both teammates should dress the same

 

[Tshooter]

The big four today is Djokovic, Federer, Nadal and Murray. How would Nastase due at his best against their best on a medium paced hard court? Nastase can serve with them. He had great mobility like they do. His volleying and touch are imo superior to any of them.

I'm trying to imagine Nadal trying to make sense of Natase's antics. :shock:

 

[Mustard]

The 1972 US Open final. He managed to get under the skin of Arthur Ashe, and beat Ashe. That was some achievement.

 

[Tshooter]

That match was a bit before my time but I did see the Poehman match. I'd say he got under Poehman's skin.

Nastase is in my top very few players that I've enjoyed watching. And a charming guy in person. Which probably explains in part why even guys he drove crazy on the court were still friends with him off the court.

 

[joe sch]

How about the 1977 match where Nastase broke Vilas 46 match winning streak ? Note that he used a spaghetti string racket so maybe not such a proud achievement.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3e0oBcgF5qw

 

[kiki]

Generally speaking, I´d say 1972-73 was when we had peak Nastase.He declined by 1974 although remained a factor well until 1976.

 

[krosero]

Possibly his win in the Italian Open final, 1973, over Orantes, 6-1, 6-1, 6-1.

It took place less than a week after the French final (the only year of the OE that the Italian followed RG).

New York Times:

He has now won 42 of 43 clay-court matches this year, making him the world’s foremost clay player.

“Orantes didn’t stand a chance,” Nastase said afterward. “When everything goes well some days, there is nothing an opponent can do.”

Even the Italian crowd did not bother him. Yesterday a spectator threw a bottle at him and he was jeered throughout his semifinal against Paolo Bertolucci, an Italian hero. For part of that match policemen ringed the court.

Orantes, who won the title last year, was never given a chance to show the form with which he had demolished Tom Okker in the semifinals. He netted easy volleys in a generally loose performance and was outclassed by the dazzling Rumanian.

Nastase defeated Bertolucci by 6-2, 3-6, 6-3, 3-6, 6-0, but the Italian had the consolation of being the only player to take a set from him in both the French and Italian championships.​

UPI:

Orantes held his opening service to love but then Nastase slammed the door in his face and took the next 11 games to demolished [sic] the Spaniard with a fine mixture of volleys and drop shots. He also commanded the net.

Nastase put together 11 straight points from the second game through the fourth in the second set. By comparison, Orantes had only five points through the first five games of the same set.

Although Orantes held his serve in the sixth game of the second set, there was no longer any question of the outcome and most kind-hearted spectators only hoped for a quick and merciful end to the tennis slaughter. Nastase had walked onto the court to the boos of the crowd following his antics Sunday in his unfinished match with Bertolucci.

By the third set, the quality of play had so deteriorated the crowd began to whistle and catcall.​

Associated Press:

The Italians backed Orantes after his thrilling semifinal match with Tom Okker of Holland. But in Nastase’s semifinal match with Bertolucci Sunday night, he almost touched off a riot when he spat at the stands. A fan threw a soft drink bottle on the court without hitting Nastase.

The Romanian won 11 straight games in Monday’s first set and took a 5-0 lead in the second. Orantes then managed to win his service game and went ahead 15-40 on Nastase’s service. The Romanian scored four straight shots to win the second set 6-1.

Nastase then picked up a 5-0 lead in the third set behind four service breaks.​

So Nastase held in all 10 service games, a remarkable stat on clay.

 

[hoodjem]

How about the 1977 match where Nastase broke Vilas 46 match winning streak ? Note that he used a spaghetti string racket so maybe not such a proud achievement.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3e0oBcgF5qw

Not so much.

Actually, rather ignominious.

 

[kiki]

Possibly his win in the Italian Open final, 1973, over Orantes, 6-1, 6-1, 6-1.

It took place less than a week after the French final (the only year of the OE that the Italian followed RG).

New York Times:

He has now won 42 of 43 clay-court matches this year, making him the world’s foremost clay player.

“Orantes didn’t stand a chance,” Nastase said afterward. “When everything goes well some days, there is nothing an opponent can do.”

Even the Italian crowd did not bother him. Yesterday a spectator threw a bottle at him and he was jeered throughout his semifinal against Paolo Bertolucci, an Italian hero. For part of that match policemen ringed the court.

Orantes, who won the title last year, was never given a chance to show the form with which he had demolished Tom Okker in the semifinals. He netted easy volleys in a generally loose performance and was outclassed by the dazzling Rumanian.

Nastase defeated Bertolucci by 6-2, 3-6, 6-3, 3-6, 6-0, but the Italian had the consolation of being the only player to take a set from him in both the French and Italian championships.​

UPI:

Orantes held his opening service to love but then Nastase slammed the door in his face and took the next 11 games to demolished [sic] the Spaniard with a fine mixture of volleys and drop shots. He also commanded the net.

Nastase put together 11 straight points from the second game through the fourth in the second set. By comparison, Orantes had only five points through the first five games of the same set.

Although Orantes held his serve in the sixth game of the second set, there was no longer any question of the outcome and most kind-hearted spectators only hoped for a quick and merciful end to the tennis slaughter. Nastase had walked onto the court to the boos of the crowd following his antics Sunday in his unfinished match with Bertolucci.

By the third set, the quality of play had so deteriorated the crowd began to whistle and catcall.​

Associated Press:

The Italians backed Orantes after his thrilling semifinal match with Tom Okker of Holland. But in Nastase’s semifinal match with Bertolucci Sunday night, he almost touched off a riot when he spat at the stands. A fan threw a soft drink bottle on the court without hitting Nastase.

The Romanian won 11 straight games in Monday’s first set and took a 5-0 lead in the second. Orantes then managed to win his service game and went ahead 15-40 on Nastase’s service. The Romanian scored four straight shots to win the second set 6-1.

Nastase then picked up a 5-0 lead in the third set behind four service breaks.​

So Nastase held in all 10 service games, a remarkable stat on clay.

Good on bringing back Paolo Bertolucci.Unfortunately, hs taste for dolce vita was even bigger than his talent.

 

[USS Tang]

February 1970 in Salisbury, Maryland at U.S. Men's Indoors Championship.
Down two sets to love to Cliff Richey in the finals, Nastase won the next three sets & the championship.