Halep clinches Madrid Open

MADRID: Simona Halep thanked much-criticised Fed Cup coach Ilie Nastase after defending her Madrid Open title, but the 70-year-old’s role in the trophy presentation was labelled “irresponsible and unacceptable” by the WTA. Halep, who edged Kristina Mladenovic in final 7-5, 6-7 (5/7), 6-2, was congratulated on court by Nastase as the Romanian received the trophy named after Nastase’s former doubles partner and Madrid Open owner Ion Tiriac. Nastase has been banned from the French Open and Wimbledon after he was ejected from Romania’s Fed Cup clash with Great Britain last month for a series of foulmouthed rants directed at British captain Anne Keothavong and number one Johanna Konta, as well as umpires and members of the press. “He had no place on court today,” said WTA CEO Steve Simon in a statement. “He is currently under a provisional suspension by the ITF for his prior offensive actions and we revoked his credential privileges at WTA events while the investigation is being completed. “It was both irresponsible and unacceptable of the Madrid Open to bestow him an official role. “The Madrid tournament is a Premier-level event and held to the highest standards of professional tennis and leadership which were not reflected today.” However, Halep thanked the former world No 1 before happily posing for a picture with him courtside.

› It was irresponsible and unacceptable of the Madrid Open to bestow him (Ilie Nastase) an official role. STEVE SIMON, WTA CEO