He was an accident waiting to happen
MANY people within tennis wondered if the Romanian authorities had taken leave of their senses when they appointed Ilie Nastase as Fed Cup captain — and now a wider audience will understand the reasons. Why put in place an ageing playboy and controversialist, known to have severely dated views about women, as the leader of your national female team? It is not as if he has ever shown any deep interest in the female side of the sport, or that there is any shortage of good coaches in his country. Nastase, 70, was an accident waiting to happen. The four-times married, former world No 1 spent the end of his playing days as a novelty act on the veterans’ circuit, in which he was known for his enjoyment of the accompanying social life. He once estimated he had slept with 800 to 900 women in his life. Nastase was, without question, a player touched by genius, and was the first official No 1 in 1973 when the rankings were introduced. He was also known for his interaction with the crowd, which could be funny but was also often crude. Known as ‘Nasty’, he had the rare distinction of being disliked by mild-mannered Rod Laver. He was also renowned for his clashes with umpires and lack of respect for the chair, further making him an unsuitable Fed Cup captain. A famous spat was with British official Jeremy Shales at Wimbledon in 1977. An exasperated Shales called him by his surname, in response he demanded, ‘You call me Mr Nastase’. Two years later he nearly caused a riot at the US Open when playing John McEnroe, leading to umpire Frank Hammond being removed from the chair after he tried to default him. He has always had friends in high places in Romania, and in the 90s ran to be Mayor of Bucharest. He currently sits in the national Senate. Nastase also has close ties with the army and his appointment as a Major General was behind his ludicrously inappropriate garb for recent appearances in the Royal Box at WImbledon. Now he has reminded everyone of his capacity to disgrace himself, you doubt further invitations will be forthcoming.