Ilie Nastase
Ilie Nastase was crowned the first world No 1 in ATP history on August 23, 1973
On August 23, 1973, Ilie Nastase was crowned the first world No 1 in ATP history, according to Tennis Majors. This ranking was published just a few weeks after more than 80 players boycotted Wimbledon.
Introduction of ATP Rankings
The first-ever ATP rankings list was published on this day, with Nastase as its first No 1, and it quickly proved its value, becoming iconic among players and the press. The ranking system was created by the ATP board, which started working on it in 1972, shortly after the creation of the ATP.
The idea behind the ranking system was to rank players according to their results, to obtain a ranking that could reflect the real level of each player. Until then, there was no united ranking system, and every tournament appointed its own seeds and applied its own rules to accept players into its draw.
Ranking System
The first-ever ATP ranking list relied on an average system, with the points accumulated over a 52-week period divided by the number of tournaments played, with a minimum divisor of 12. Players were also awarded bonus points for beating any seeded player, regardless of the round they scored the win.
| Category | Description |
|---|---|
| Points Accumulation | Average system over 52-week period |
| Divisor | Minimum of 12 tournaments played |
| Bonus Points | Awarded for beating seeded players |
Impact of ATP Rankings
The ATP rankings were a success, according to one of its founders, Charlie Pasarell, who said that the rankings changed everything, guaranteeing participation for the most deserving players regardless of their nationality. Stan Smith also shared this opinion, stating that all players were on the same page as to the importance of the rankings for the game.
The rankings would be issued more frequently each year until they were calculated on a weekly basis in 1979 and continue to do so till this day. In total, 11 editions of the ATP rankings would be published until the end of 1973, and all of them would feature Nastase as world No 1.
Legacy of Ilie Nastase
Ilie Nastase was not one of the biggest supporters of this ranking system, where, according to his words, everyone has a number hanging over them. However, his ranking as the first world No 1 in ATP history marked the beginning of a new era in tennis, with the ATP rankings becoming a benchmark for players worldwide. The rankings were initially printed and pinned in locker rooms, which remained for a while the only way for players to find out their ranking.
