WTA slams Nastase presence in Madrid

Romania’s Simona Halep thanked much-criticized Fed Cup coach Ilie Nastase after defending her Madrid Open title on Saturday, but the 70-year-old’s role in the trophy presentation was slammed as “irresponsible and unacceptable” by the WTA.

Halep, who edged Kristina Mladenovic 7-5, 6-7 (5), 6-2 in a thrilling final that lasted nearly three hours, was congratulated on court by Nastase as she received the trophy named for Nastase’s former doubles partner and Madrid Open owner Ion Tiriac.

“Nastase had no place on court today,” WTA CEO Steve Simon said in a statement.