Czech mate

In brief

Tennis: Banned from tennis, Ilie Nastase is taking on a new role as a diplomat for the Czech Republic. The Romanian has been banned by the International Tennis Federation (ITF) for two years because of his foulmouthed comments and bad behaviour as Romania’s Fed Cup captain. But after a meeting yesterday, Czech foreign minister Lubomir Zaoralek said Nastase agreed to become the country’s new honorary consul in Romania. He will be based in the Black Sea port of Constanta. "It’s a great honour," Nastase said. ‘‘My country didn’t give me this chance but you gave me this chance and I appreciate it.’’