Skip to main content

Tennis legend Nastase apologises to Serena Williams

Romanian tennis great Ilie Nastase apologised Friday for derogatory comments about Serena Williams and for a foul-mouthed Fed Cup tirade that saw him suspended by the International Tennis Federation. He did however have another pop at Britain’s number one women’s player Johanna Konta, who was left in tears during last weekend’s combustible Fed Cup tie with Romania, and said his behaviour “has been exaggerated by all”. “My words during the Fed Cup have rightfully caused controversy and upset the audience, the press and, most painfully for me, the tennis world,” the former world number one, 70, said on Facebook.
Serena Williams and Nastase He said that his comments last Friday about the pregnant Williams — he was overheard by a journalist talking about her baby being “chocolate with milk” — was a “spontaneous” reaction to hearing she was expecting her first child. “I am fully aware that nothing can truly excuse my statements -– not the tension of a high-stakes game, not my traditionally irreverent attitude, not the unfortunate escalation of the situation,” he said. “My life remains dedicated to tennis and its audiences, so please accept my apologies, for whatever they may be worth right now.” The comments last Friday prompted outrage from Williams, the 23-time Grand Slam winner, and messages of support from the world of tennis and beyond. “It disappoints me to know we live in a society where people like Ilie Nastase can make such racist comments towards myself and unborn child, and sexist comments against my peers,” Williams, 35, had said. The day after, Romanian Fed Cup captain Nastase was kicked out of the tie with Britain in Constanta after swearing at the umpire, at Britain’s captain Anne Keothavong and at an upset Konta. Nastase, a two-time Grand Slam winner, also reportedly propositioned the married and pregnant Keothavong. Nastase, renowned during his golden era for his pranks, hot-headed unpredictability and being a playboy, ignored the ban on Sunday and turned up at the venue on the Black Sea coast. He was seen by reporters walking into the VIP lounge. The ITF later confirmed Nastase was not allowed to be on site in any capacity and the Romanian Tennis Federation president subsequently said he had left. “I was five when I first picked up a racquet. Since then, tennis has been more than a sport or a profession for me. Tennis has been, and is, my life, and for tennis I have sacrificed almost everything, personal or professional,” Nastase said in his statement. “Unfortunately, now, in my 70s, I have somehow managed to do something I have never wanted or even imagined: to feel tennis moving further away from me. The last few days have been difficult for me,” he said. Nastase took another shot however at Konta, who broke down in tears after abuse from Nastase — leading to the Fed Cup tie to be temporarily suspended — and left the court. Romania went on to win the tie 3-2 the next day. Konta “had no right to speak to the chairman, the team captain is the only one who can do this. I asked the chairman for some explanations in a civilised manner, but he sent me to the stand”, he said. “In the stand they withdrew my status as captain of the Romanian team and I became a simple spectator. After this, the referee suspended the match. “I do not understand why he did it and based on what point from the regulation?”

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Upcoming Yoruba actress, Feyi Hassan releases sexy birthday pictures

Upcoming is a bit harsh to describe, pretty Yoruba actress, Feyisara Hassan, because already she has produced five films of her own, while featuring in plenty more. Feyi, who became a producer as a teenager added another year on Wednesday, April 26, 2017 and to celebrate the special day she released some sexy pictures to show another side of her person. Vulnerably beautiful, delicate and yet provocative, Feyi, slays minds in this shoot, without having to go over the edge. Happy birthday girl.

Wike moves to ban 5,000 unapproved schools in Rivers

The Rivers State government says it has concluded plans to ban all unapproved schools operating in the state with effect from September this year. State Commissioner for Education, Prof. Kaniye Ebeku, disclosed this when he led members of the Rivers state House of Assembly Committee on Education on an inspection of ongoing rehabilitation work at Government Girls Secondary School, Rumuokwuta in company of officials of the state Ministry of Education. Prof. Ebeku said about five thousand illegal private schools are operating in the state. He said that publications will be done in both National and local papers in the coming days with the full names of the affected schools. According to Ebeku, “We found that there are so many unapproved quacks schools operating in the state and this is not acceptable for many reasons. They deliver poor quality education and because they are operating underground they are not paying required taxes as legitimate approved organizations. “We would not want ...

Osinbajo cannot replace Buhari in 2019 if anything happens to PMB

The Northern Elders Forum has declared that the Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo cannot replace President Muhammadu Buhari in 2019 should anything happen to Buhari who has been abroad for a medical follow-up. Chairman of Northern Elders Forum, Professor Ango Abdullahi, said should President Muhammadu Buhari fail to seek re-election in 2019, the North must retain the presidency by fielding a candidate through the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, party. Abdullahi said although Professor Osinbajo, according to the constitution, should be allowed to complete the current tenure being Buhari’s Vice, he must not contest in 2019 should Buhari fail to recontest for a second term. “The constitutional provision says that in the event that the president dies in office or becomes incapacitated for one reason or the other and cannot perform the duties of his office, he will be succeeded by the Vice president.” “But no one is in a position to know at what point he is going to recover ful...