Security shown Nastase photo to ensure ‘Mr Nasty’ kept out
SECURITY staff at Wimbledon have reportedly been shown a picture of Ilie Nastase to make sure they do not allow him into the grounds.
The former tennis star, nicknamed “Mr Nasty” for his rude outbursts, was ejected from a match during a Fed Cup tie in Romania in April and subsequently banned from the French Open.
During the match the 70-year-old Romania team captain launched a foulmouthed tirade directed at his British counterpart Anne Keothavong and British number one Johanna Konta, reducing her to tears.
Earlier this year Serena Williams accused Nastase of racism over remarks he made about her unborn child. In a post on Instagram, Williams said: “It disappoints me to know we live in a society in which people like Ilie Nastase can make such racist comments towards myself and unborn child, and sexist comments against my peers.”
G4S guards stationed at gates in to Wimbledon are believed to have been told that the former world number one, who was previously invited into the Royal Box on Centre Court, is not welcome at the tournament, even as a paying customer.
A spokesman for the All England Lawn Tennis Club confirmed that security would be aware of what Nastase looks like from photographs and security briefings.