Anyone looking for an Eastern European country famed for its tennis, it's hard to see past the hugely successful Russian team, with more than 13 players in the top 100.

However other nations are slowly producing a crop of good players, such as the Agnieska Radwankska of Poland, Agnes Szavay of Hungary and Sesil Karanchetcheva of Bulgaria. But one new emerging nation I feel will have success over coming years is Romania. 

Iile Nastase is by far the most famous tennis player ever to represent Romania. The flamboyant player had great success on the ATP tour winning two Grand Slams and being ranked No. 1 in the world in the 1970s. 

'Chances of success have been heightened now that Romania has become a member nation of the European Union'


Romanian women's tennis, although producing no Grand Slam winners, have had a few stars. Back in the 90s Irina Spirlea promised so much to the game but ultimately she fell short of reaching the very top and retired early at just 26 years of age.

She reached a career high of No.7 in the world and I well remember the 1997 episode at the U.S. Open when, in the semi-finals, Spirlea was accused of bumping into Venus Williams intentionally. You see Romanians can be feisty!.

My favourite Romanian women's tennis player was Ruxandra Dragomir. Ever consistent in the mid to late 90s Dragomir was at best a top 20 player and spent most of her career inside the women's top 50 rankings. I remember first seeing her in the 1993 French Open when, as a 19-year-old she came from nowhere to reach the fourth round.

This was her favourite tournament and she regularly went on to repeat her feat of fourth round appearances and even managed a quarter-final berth one year. Dragomir was consistent, and when she retired there was no one to take over her place - until now.

Edina Gallovits is the new Romanian No. 1 and at just 23 years of age broke into the top 100 last year for the first time. She is one of a host of new talents that I think have what it take to develop into a top 50 player at the very least.

The competitveness among the players in Romania is increasing and the chances of success have been heightened now that Romania has become a member nation of the European Union.

Gallovits is holding on to her No. 1 status but only by the skin of her teeth. Iona Olaru and Sorana Cirstea make up a Romanian trio of WTA top 100 players who made their breakthrough last year.

Olaru is only 19 and Cirstea is just 17 but they made a dramatic leap up the rankings with their clay court success. With the new European clay court season about to start I think the girls can make the most of their chances and reach the top 50 in the world before the year is out!

Three Romanians in the top 50 would be incredible and show that this developing nation is going in the right direction. Monica Nicolescu and several other 20 year olds are also moving up the ranks and Romania should see at least 10 top 200 players in the next couple of years. Strength in depth is so important for any emerging nation, and Romania have struggled in this department in the past.

Sorana Cirstea has the best chance of success among the world's elite. Last year she reached the final as a qualifier in a tournament in Budapest and later backed up that result with a semi sport in Bali. This year she has been quiet but will be suited to the European clay courts.

Let's hope that Romania can keep producing youngsters of a high calibre. Maybe they could also have success in the Federation Cup and put Romania back on the tennis map.