site.btaTennis Legend Ilie Nastase Sees Bulgarian Tennis Developing Well

World tennis legend Ilie Nastase will open the General Assembly of the Bulgarian Tennis Federation (BTF) in Ruse (on the Danube), BTF reported on Monday.

During his visit here, he shared his views on the development of tennis in Bulgaria and the Balkans. He said he supports efforts to promote tennis in the country and discussed ideas for reviving the Balkan Games as a way to boost the sport’s popularity in the region.

Commenting on the success of young Bulgarian players, Nastase highlighted the achievements of Ivan Ivanov, who won junior titles at Wimbledon and the US Open, while stressing the importance of continued development beyond the junior level.

Reflecting on his previous visit to Plovdiv (South Central Bulgaria), Nastase said he was impressed by the enthusiasm and curiosity of young players. He emphasized that love for the sport is essential for long-term success, noting that tennis should be a source of enjoyment rather than an obligation.

According to Nastase, the key to the future of Bulgarian and Balkan tennis lies in early engagement with children and fostering a genuine passion for the game. He underlined that the greatest athletes succeed because they truly love their sport.

The Romanian former world No. 1 held the top position in the ATP rankings from August 23, 1973 to June 2, 1974, becoming the first player in history to reach No. 1 after the introduction of the official ranking system. Over the course of his career, Nastase won 88 singles titles, claimed seven Grand Slam titles, and became a four-time Masters champion. Known for his flamboyant and entertaining style of play, he often captivated audiences and was also noted for occasional verbal disputes with umpires. In 1991, he was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame.

In 2024, HBO premiered the documentary Nasty, which traces the life and exceptional achievements of the 79-year-old sports icon. The film features rare archival footage and exclusive interviews with leading figures in world sport, including John McEnroe, Boris Becker, Rafael Nadal, Bjorn Borg, Billie Jean King, gymnast Nadia Comaneci, and Nike founder Phil Knight. Nastase was the first athlete to sign a contract with Nike in 1972.

Nastase is also a long-serving captain of Romania’s Davis Cup team.