Ilie Nastase was prohibited from the Fed Cup tie against Britain after an episode that left Johanna Konta in tears and her match suspended. In Konta’s match against Sorana Cirstea, Nastase was sent off subsequent to swearing at the umpire and mishandling Konta and her chief Anne Keothavong.
The world number seven lost her serve in the following amusement and was noticeably disturbed before play was stopped for 25 minutes. The International Tennis Federation is examining Nastase’s lead.
He additionally put his arm firmly around Keothavong and requested her room number, in earshot of the watching media.
Before play had even begun on Saturday, Nastase offended a British columnist over their detailing of Friday’s occasions, calling the Press Association’s tennis journalist “moronic”.
Also, as he was at long last escorted far from the setting by a gathering of security watchmen, he mishandled the columnist once more, calling her “appalling”.
The world administering body said it was investigating “this matter and past remarks made by Mr Nastase amid the week”.
Nastase called both Konta and Keothavong “a bitch” different circumstances, and in addition swearing at them.
“It was not something anyone should experience,” Konta told the news.
“It did upset me quite a lot and that was shown. I am not one to cry on court. It was slightly embarrassing but it affected me more than I would have liked.
“I know that Fed Cups can be quite emotional and can sometimes take an unexpected turn but it wasn’t something I was prepared for.
“Obviously, it left me slightly unnerved but the best I could do was to make it as much about the tennis as possible. I felt I did that and am looking forward to that again tomorrow.”
Keothavong said she had “expected a patriotic crowd”, but did not expect “abusive language to be used”.
He was sent off the court by ref Andreas Egli and, after at first sitting down in the stands, was then escorted back to the locker room. Konta went 3-1 down after her serve was softened up the following diversion and was in tears before the umpire suspended play.
Romania player Halep addressed the group amid the suspension to attempt to quiet the circumstance. At the point when play continued in a repressed environment, Konta won five amusements consecutively to win the match 6-2 6-3, leveling the tie at 1-1.
The ITF disclosed Nastase was made a request to leave “for unsportsmanlike lead, having effectively gotten two authority notices”. A statement stated: “Mr Nastase was also removed from the grounds due to his serious misconduct. His accreditation was removed and he will play no further part in the tie.”
