Originally Posted by
jjgold
CONSTANTA, Romania (Reuters) - The International Tennis Federation (ITF) has launched an investigation into Romanian Fed Cup captain Ilie Nastase after allegations the former world number one had made a derogatory comment about Serena Williams' unborn baby.
"Let's see what color it has. Chocolate with milk?" he was quoted by Romanian and some British media as saying.
"This was a joke," he said. "If someone didn't understand it, they lack humor... they have their own humor and we have our humor."
.
"
When play began on Saturday, Nastase was soon in trouble on court and was sent off by the umpire in the second rubber between Britain's Johanna Konta and Romania's Sorana Cirstea for "unsportsmanlike conduct". His exclusion from the tie followed.
Nastase was heard making derogatory remarks that appeared to be aimed at the umpire and at Konta. The match was temporarily suspended with Konta in tears, before restarting shortly afterwards. Konta won the match 6-2 6-3 to level the tie at 1-1.
"Mr Nastase was also removed from the grounds due to his serious misconduct," the ITF said in a second statement.
"His accreditation was removed and he will play no further part in the tie. The ITF has launched an investigation into this matter as well as previous comments made by Mr Nastase during the week."