Ilie Nastase has named the best tennis player he has ever seen, and despite Novak Djokovic's record 24 Grand Slam titles, the Romanian's choice is Rafael Nadal. The former world No. 1 made his assessment while reflecting on the current generation and the champions he has watched throughout more than half a century in tennis.
Nastase, who became the first No. 1 in the history of the computerized ATP rankings in 1973, turned 80 in July and remains one of the most recognizable figures from tennis' past. Speaking at the Festival dello Sport in Trento, he discussed everything from his own career and famous rivalries to the evolution of the modern game.
The Romanian acknowledged that every generation has its own great players and pointed to Jannik Sinner as one of the leading figures of the current era. But when it came to choosing the best player he has seen, Nastase went back to Nadal, whose dominance at Roland Garros remains unmatched.
Nadal won 22 Grand Slam titles during his career, including a record 14 French Open championships. Djokovic finished with 24 majors and has the men's record for Grand Slam titles, while Roger Federer won 20. Yet Nastase's choice shows that the overall number of major trophies is not necessarily the deciding factor in his assessment.
Why Nadal stands above Djokovic for Nastase
Nastase explained his view by first acknowledging the difficulty of comparing players from different generations before highlighting Nadal's extraordinary record in Paris.
“I like tennis today. Every era has its champions: in my era, there was someone like Laver, and now Sinner," Nastase said to Gazzetta dello Sport. "You cannot compare different eras in any sport. Jannik? If you have a good serve and good movements today, you don't need much more to stand out. He doesn't play much at the net; he is very strong as he is."
"But the best player I have seen is still Nadal: winning 14 times in Paris is worth more than any other Grand Slam.”
The comment is particularly notable because Djokovic has built the strongest statistical case in men's tennis history. The Serbian has won 24 Grand Slam titles, two more than Nadal, and holds the men's record for major championships. Y
et Nastase's choice suggests that Nadal's dominance at Roland Garros carries more weight for him than the overall Grand Slam count.
Nadal won 14 French Open titles between 2005 and 2022, losing only three matches at the tournament throughout his career. No other men's player has dominated a single Grand Slam to the same extent, making the achievement one of the clearest arguments for Nadal in any debate over the greatest players in history.
Nastase has watched generations of champions
Nastase's opinion is also notable because of the number of different generations he has experienced. His own career overlapped with some of the sport's greatest figures, while he later watched Borg, Connors, McEnroe, Federer, Nadal and Djokovic define different eras.
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Nastase believes each generation should be judged on its own terms rather than compared too directly, while also recognizing Sinner as one of the leading players of the current era. “I like tennis today. Every era has its champions: in my era, there was someone like Laver, and now Sinner. You cannot compare different eras in any sport.”
That perspective makes his choice of Nadal particularly significant. After decades of watching tennis evolve, Nastase still places the Spaniard at the top of his personal list, with Nadal's 14 Roland Garros titles ultimately carrying more weight for him than Djokovic's record 24 Grand Slam championships.
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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