Nastase presence irks WTA as Halep keeps Madrid title
MADRID: Simona Halep thanked muchcriticised 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 labelled “irresponsible and unacceptable” by the WTA.
Halep, who edged out Kristina Mladenovic in a thrilling near three-hour final 7-5, 6-7 (5/7), 6-2, was congratulated on court by Nastase as the Romanian received the trophy named after Nastase’s former doubles partner and Madrid Open owner Ion Tiriac.
Nastase has been banned from the French Open and Wimbledon after he was ejected from Romania’s Fed Cup clash with Great Britain last month for a series of foul-mouthed rants directed at British captain Anne Keothavong and No.1 Johanna Konta, as well as umpires and members of the press.
“He had no place on court today,” said WTA CEO Steve Simon in a statement.
“He is currently under a provisional suspension by the ITF for his prior offensive actions and we revoked his credential privileges at WTA events while the investigation is being completed.
“It was both irresponsible and unacceptable of the Madrid Open to bestow him an official role.
“The Madrid tournament is a Premierlevel event and held to the highest standards of professional tennis and leadership which were not reflected today.”
However, Halep thanked the former world No.1 before happily posing for a picture with him courtside.
“Ilie thank you for coming, you are supporting me all match,” said Halep.
Nastase’s presence overshadowed a high quality match in which France’s Mladenovic played a huge part.
“This final was quite amazing,” said Mladenovic.
“I can just be proud out there from what both of us showed.
“I think it was a great final. Great spirit, attitude, great game. I’ve got to give credit to Simona for an amazing game today.”
Simon added his frustration that the opportunity for a great advert for women’s tennis had been lost.
“It was an exciting final match. The only shadow cast on the day was Mr Nastase’s invitation to participate in today’s award ceremony.”
Mladenovic had won three of the pair’s four previous meetings, including most recently meeting in Indian Wells back in March.
NADAL CRUSHES DJOKOVIC
Rafael Nadal snapped a seven-match losing streak against Novak Djokovic in commanding fashion as he romped into the final of the Madrid Masters 6-2, 6-4 on Saturday.
The Spaniard looks in ominous form with just over two weeks to go till the start of the French Open.
Nadal was looking to seal his fifth title in Madrid in last night’s final against Austrian Dominic Thiem who booked his place in a first ever Masters series final with a 6-4, 6-4 win over Uruguay’s Pablo Cuevas.