Abusive Nastase banned as Fed Cup boils over

PARIS — Romanian tennis legend Ilie Nastase was sensationally kicked out of the Fed Cup on Saturday after a foul-mouthed rant compounded his controversial racial slur over Serena Williams’ unborn baby.

The 70-year-old captain of Romania's Fed Cup team was escorted from the Constanta venue where a World Group play off was taking place against Britain after swearing at the umpire, the British skipper and a visiting player who was even reduced to tears.

He was heard to call pregnant captain Anne Keothavong and national number one Johanna Konta "fucking bitches".

The day before, Nastase, a former world number one and two-time Grand Slam title winner, was overheard making derogatory remarks about US superstar Serena Williams' pregnancy.

"Let's see what color it (the baby) has. Chocolate with milk?," he said in Romanian, remarks then reported widely internationally, including by a British female reporter who he then berated, describing her as "stupid" and "ugly".

The controversy in Romania overshadowed what was meant to be the weekend's main Fed Cup business – the semifinals where Belarus and Switzerland are locked at 1-1 while the United States are also level against defending champions Czech Republic.

The International Tennis Federation (ITF) said that Nastase had been expelled from the tie against Britain for "serious misconduct" and hinted at further punishment.

After his slur against Williams, who will give birth in September, Nastase was still raging on Saturday. (AFP)