Nastase in volley of abuse over Wimbledon’s box ban
Rivals protest but Shazza invite will inject star quality
TENNIS legend Ilie Nastase last night branded Wimbledon bosses “ungrateful b ***** ds” for banning him from this year’s tournament.
He reacted with fury after being told he would not be invited to sit in the Royal Box. The ban came after Nastase, 70, called British women stars “f***ing bitches” at a match. He said: “No one would do a bloody thing if my actions were against any smaller country. I’ve played 1,000 times there. This is their ‘thank you’.” All England Club chairman Philip Brook confirmed Nastase would not be invited to the Royal Box. Wimbledon CEO Richard Lewis went further, saying that the former world No.1 could even be “stopped at the gate” if he tried to enter the grounds.
(PS: Tim Henman could make final decision) WIMBLEDON yesterday admitted Maria Sharapova’s celebrity status will help her gain a wildcard this summer if she fails to qualify.
Andy Murray has claimed there is a “good chance” the All England Club will invite the Russian superstar into qualifying following her 15-month doping ban.
Defending champion Serena Williams (below) is not involved this year and the women’s event will be missing star quality.
But, rather than take a stand against dopers, chairman Philip Brook yesterday left the door open for the 2004 champion (below right) – currently ranked 262 – to get a wildcard into the main draw.
Tim Henman will chair the committee to make the decision on June 20.
“We take a look at who’s done well in the lead-up tournaments and we will also consider what might add interest to the tournament, so if someone had a very strong playing record here at Wimbledon, that would be a factor in our consideration as well,” said Brook, who added that the All England Club had no policy on giving wildcards to dopers.
Caroline Wozniacki and Agnieszka Radwanska have spoken out against Sharapova receiving special treatment on her return from a drugs ban – while Eugenie Bouchard last week branded the Russian “a cheater”.
Sharapova will need a wildcard to play in the French Open but can still qualify for Wimbledon by right with strong displays in her next two tournaments – in Madrid and Rome.
The Russian needs to get into the top 100 by May 22 to get into the main draw at SW19 or into the top 200 by May 29 to gain entry into qualifying.
Wimbledon yesterday announced admission will be charged to watch qualifying for the first time – and one court will be set up to show matches live.
Chief executive Richard Lewis said: “The key factor is results over the next two weeks and whether there is an application or need for a wildcard.”
The best scenario for Wimbledon is for Sharapova to play at SW19 without the need for a controversial wildcard.
Tennis legend Ilie Nastase, suspended by the ITF, is to be banned from the Wimbledon Royal Box following his outrageous behaviour at last month’s Fed Cup tie between Romania and Great Britain – and probably also excluded from the grounds.
“If he is suspended and we noticed him, he would be stopped,” said Lewis.