TENNIS: FED CUP DISGRACE Crying game as Nastase lets rip with f-word rant
ILIE LEAVES KONTA IN TEARS
ILIE NASTASE faces being kicked out of tennis over the disgusting scenes which have stunned the sport.
The controversial former world No.1 was thrown off the court after a foul-mouthed attack on the umpire and the British team in the Fed Cup tie in Romania.
The Bucharest Buffoon – as he was known in his playing days – was already facing an investigation over comments about Serena Williams.
Now the authorities will be under pressure to impose tough sanctions after an incident which saw British No.1 Johanna Konta in tears and play suspended for 25 minutes.
With Konta leading Sorana Cirstea 6- 2 1- 2 in the second game in Constanta, Brit captain Anne Keothavong complained to the umpire about excessive shouting out from the crowd.
Two-time Major winner Nastase became involved in the argument and reportedly said to the umpire: “What’s your f*****g problem?” He then appeared to call Keothavong and Konta “f*****g b*****s”.
Nastase, 70, was sent off the court by tie referee Andreas Egli and, after taking a seat in the stands, was then escorted back to the locker room. Play briefly resumed but Konta was visibly upset and, after playing the next game in tears and dropping serve, the players left the court.
When play resumed, Konta won five straight games to win 6-2 6-3.
“Mr Nastase was asked to leave the court for unsportsmanlike conduct, having already received two official warnings,” said an International Tennis Federation statement. “Mr Nastase was also removed from the grounds due to his serious misconduct.”
The Lawn Tennis Association said it was “deeply shocked”.
“There is no place in sport for that type of behaviour, it’s not acceptable and the integrity of the sport must always be paramount,” a statement said.
Shame
It was a weekend of shame for Nastase who is already subject to an ITF i nvestigation over comments he made about Williams’ pregnancy. Referring to Williams’ baby, he was heard to say: “Let’s see what colour it has. Chocolate with milk?” He was also caught on camera asking Keothavong for her room number.