As things turned out, Ilie Nastase happened to put together the best season of his career at a historic moment in ATP history.
The Romanian won 16 tour-level titles in 1973, a single-season tally only matched in the Open Era by Rod Laver in 1969 and Guillermo Vilas in 1977. Nastase had already won 12 of those titles when the PIF ATP Rankings were introduced for the first time on 23 August, 1973, and the timing of his staggering trophy haul ensured he became the first World No. 1 in history.
“It just happened, 1973 was my best year,” said Nastase when reflecting on how he became the first member of the ATP No. 1 Club. “There was talk on the circuit that there was going to be an ATP Ranking done by computer, but no one knew when it was going to happen. That year I played my best tennis, won nine titles [on clay], including Roland Garros, and Monte-Carlo, the Italian Open, all these tournaments. On grass I won Queen’s.”
Nastase remained at No. 1 for 40 weeks, until he was replaced by John Newcombe in June 1974. One of the highlights of his time at the top was the ceremony where he was recognised as the first ATP Year-End No. 1 presented by PIF.
“I was lucky to be the first No. 1. In New York, they gave me the cup and there were a lot of players there,” remembers Nastase. “I was very happy, because at that time I had moved to New York, I lived there for 12 years, so it was like being home and I received a trophy there. It was great. To be the first No. 1 was even better.”
Having finished his career as a 64-time tour-level singles champion, a tally which included two major crowns, Nastase has plenty of title-winning moments that he can look back on fondly. However, he believes his status as a former World No. 1 took the legacy of his career to new heights.
“You realise [what it means to be No. 1] only after you finish playing and people talk about you as a No. 1,” explained Nastase. “Today I feel great, because I achieved something, and I worked hard for it. When you are on the circuit, it’s something normal. You play, and you win, and it’s okay. But after you finish with tennis, people appreciate you more, and I like that.”
Learn more about the ATP No. 1 Club
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