Q&A: Ilie Nastase

Grand Slam winner Ilie Nastase took time out from playing on the Masters Tour to answer your questions

The former world number one is one of the most colourful characters tennis has ever seen.

The Romanian's Grand Slam wins came at the 1972 US Open and the 1973 French Open at Roland Garros.

He also won three Grand Slam doubles titles and established Romania in the Davis Cup arena.

He is currently delighting crowds on the Masters Tour and is playing in the Cunard Masters Tennis Championships at the Royal Albert Hall, London (30 November - 5 December).

Thanks for all your questions, a selection of the best appear below

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What was the most satisfying win you ever had and why?
Jacob Pollak, England

I think for me as I was bought up in Romania on clay and I never played on grass until I was 20 yrs old, my best win considering I started late has to be my US Open win in 1972 on grass.

Many would say that your brilliant talent and flair made you the most entertaining player to watch ever. Which current player do you most enjoy watching?
Hadrian Wise, United Kingdom

I don't necessarily have to watch someone who plays like me to enjoy myself. Today I think the best player to watch is Roger Federer. He said after the US Open he is glad he doesn't play like today's players, just hitting every shot at 100mph, which was good to hear.

On pure talent alone who is the greatest player you have seen?
David Cook, England

It's difficult to pick up the best player in the world. Every period of champions was a great champion. I can say I saw Laver playing, Borg playing, Sampras playing - every one of these players are the best of their time. Each period of tennis has one great champ.

Why is there such a big gulf between number one Roger Federer and the rest of top seeds like Roddick, Safin, Hewitt etc?
TennisFan, USA

He is good but he is not that good, otherwise he would win everything. For now he is the best player in the world. I'm sure one day he will win the one title he hasn't won, the French Open.

Who do you think was worse behaved on court- John McEnroe or yourself?
Simon Mundie, UK

We were both bad, the difference between me and John is that I did it with a smile on my face whereas John did it with upset on his face. If you do it in a funny way you can get away with more.

How did you get the nick name Nasty Nastase? You always seemed like such a good laugh on court and I can only remember you losing your temper a few times?
Kevin Gannon, Ireland

I don't think I lost my temper that much, it's part of the game. I did things worse than that that I don't want to mention! It first came about at the 1968 US Open when a girl called Judy Howland could probably not say Nastase so called me Nasty. It doesn't bother me because everyone says it in a nice way.

You were one of the most colourful tennis players ever to grace a court. Do you feel that the game will ever have another character like you or do you think that the game is becoming much too competitive for this to happen?
Minesh Unadkat, Edgware, UK

The players have to feel that way, if they don't feel that way they don't need the extra pressure to be fun on the court and talk to the crowd. It's difficult to tell a player to do this if they don't want to, you can't make them.

Nowadays tennis is full of power-player or hard-hitters such as Roddick, Safin and Johansson. Compared to your era in 70's, which one is more attractive to watch or to play with?
Cary Turangan, Singapore

The game changes in all sport. We didn't do any fitness we just played. Tennis players are now fitter, taller and stronger. I'm not saying it's more technical it's just different, look at soccer the way Pele and Cruyff and Maradona played is different to now.

Why do you think that British tennis isn't as strong as any of the other countries?
Craig Wells, England

Its not just Britain it's a question of other counties as well. Look at Germany they had Becker and now they don't have anyone. In time Britain will have a champion, France will have a champion etc.

Do you agree that tennis should be as routine as soccer and rugby in school games timetables to unearth the huge potential talent that lies amongst the masses?
Tony Leach, England

It's a big advantage if you have that. The best example is the US, from pre-school they start to think about sport and winning. Also they have 200 million people which helps and they have alot of programmes at schools and universities and a lot of tennis courts. After a while there has to be a champion. Maybe one hour of tennis at school or free lessons at parks will help.

Do you agree that it would be good for tennis for the players to use wooden rackets similar to those you used? Do you think that such a move would bring more shot making back into the game?
Hector Cosmas, Greece

It's difficult, they let them come out with rackets with a big head which I think is a mistake. A player who is 6ft 7in, thin, athletic and can control a fast racket is going to kill someone.

What is it like playing tennis at the Albert Hall?
Jeff, France

It's nice and special. It's difficult to compare the Albert Hall with anywhere else we play. The atmosphere is fantastic and the crowd is so close every now and then you hear champagne corks pop and knifes and forks.