One of the greatest tennis players of all-time, the Romanian was a force in the sport in the 1970s.
Turning 70 today, Ilie Nastase had a remarkable career which included being the No1 player in the world between 1973 and 1974. He won seven grand slams – three doubles, two mixed doubles and two singles.
His solo achievements came first in the 1972 US Open and then in the 1973 French Open, where he became the first player to win on the famed clay court without dropped a set and just the second overall in any grand slam. Nastase is one of just five players in history to win more than 100 ATP titles, with 58 victories in singles and 45 triumphs in doubles.
His final record stands at a glittering 776 – 301 and his accomplishments earned him an induction into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 1991.
Other people who also celebrate their birthday today:
1971: Vitali Klitschko, Ukrainian former boxer, current mayor of Kiev and brother of Wladimir (45).
1985: LaMarcus Aldridge, American basketball player for the San Antonio Spurs and five-time All-Star (31).
1987: Jon Jones, American MMA fighter and interim UFC light heavyweight champion (29).
1989: Neto, Brazilian goalkeeper for Italian club Juventus and winner of the domestic double (27).
