Ilie Nastase

July 19, 1946: The day Ilie Nastase – the first official men’s world No 1 – was born

Every day, Tennis Majors takes you back in time to relive a tennis event which happened on this specific day. On this day, July 19, 1946, Ilie Nastase, one of the most talented and controversial players in tennis history, was born

Alexandre Sokolowski

July 19, 2026

Wimbledon 2026 men’s final: why Sinner can’t let Zverev be the sole winner of Alcaraz’s absence

Jannik Sinner enters the Wimbledon final knowing Alexander Zverev has already cashed in on Carlos Alcaraz's absence with a Grand Slam title, and that only victory keeps him from being the season's only man left empty-handed.

Cédric Rouquette

July 12, 2026

April 5, 1975: The day Ilie Nastase nearly forfeited a match but resumed to beat Ken Rosewall

Each day, Tennis Majors takes you back in time to an important moment in tennis history. On April 5, 1975, Ilie Nastase displayed some of his most famous antics against the Australian legend Ken Rosewall before winning in three sets in Arizona

Alexandre Sokolowski

April 5, 2026

March 26, 1976: the day Ilie Nastase was famously defaulted in Palm Springs

Every day Tennis Majors takes you back in time to celebrate a great moment in tennis history. Today, we go back to 1976 to witness how, after a week of antics, gamesmanship and provocation, Ilie Nastase was finally defaulted from the American Airlines Games quarter-finals, while he was trailing 6-3, 2-1 against Roscoe Tanner

Alexandre Sokolowski

March 26, 2026

John McEnroe and Jimmy Connors, On This Day

February 24, 1984: The day Connors and McEnroe finally joined forces for the Davis Cup

Connors had never played a tie with McEnroe until February 24, 1984, with the United States playing Romania in Bucharest. The Americans won the tie, but were unable to grab the trophy at the end of the season

Alexandre Sokolowski

February 24, 2026

12 months ago

August 30, 1979: The day McEnroe and Nastase played one of the most tumultuous matches in tennis history

Every day, Tennis Majors takes you back in time to relive a tennis...

Alexandre Sokolowski

12 months ago

August 23, 1973: The day Ilie Nastase was crowned the first world No 1 in ATP history

Every day Tennis Majors looks back at the biggest moments in tennis history....

Alexandre Sokolowski

2 years ago

October 2, 1977: The day Nastase and his spaghetti racquet frustrated Vilas

Every day, Tennis Majors goes back in time to reflect on a significant...

Alexandre Sokolowski