'Everybody in Romania loves Ilie' – legendary gymnast defends Nastase

Legendary Romanian gymnast Nadia Comaneci has defended compatriot Ilie Nastase following his outburst during the Fed Cup win over Great Britain.

Romania captain Nastase swore at the umpire before abusing Johanna Konta and GB captain Anne Keothavong on Saturday.

He was banned from the tie and later handed a provisional suspension by the International Tennis Federation (ITF).

“Ilie is very patriotic and sometimes he says things that he doesn’t really mean,” said Comaneci.

“Everybody in Romania loves Ilie because he is Ilie.”

“Ilie is responsible for what comes out of his mouth, and I think it is important in sport that you keep the respect and good behaviour,” she added.

“He will have to deal with it [the consequences], but he can survive whatever happens to him. People make mistakes.”

Comaneci later posted on social media that she “cannot condone or defend” Nastate’s “ugly” remarks and warned that the 70-year-old must accept any punishment imposed by the ITF.

The ITF is investigating Nastase’s conduct in Constanta on Saturday, and also derogatory comments he made relating to the unborn child of 23-time Grand Slam singles champion.

The organisation said the provisional suspension meant Nastase “shall be denied access to any ITF event, including the Fed Cup”, pending further investigation into “a breach of the Fed Cup welfare policy”.

ITF president David Haggerty said: “One of the principles that is important is that we want a rigorous process that is fair.

“We will also hear Nastase’s side of the argument. It will be a thorough process conducted in an efficient manner. I do not think you will be hearing any final decisions in the next two weeks.”

Despite that, Nastase returned to the site as Britain were beaten 3-1 on Sunday.

He was later ordered to leave after entering the VIP restaurant, BBC Sport’s tennis correspondent Russell Fuller reported.

A spokesperson for the ITF told BBC Sport on Monday the organisation was aware of Nastase re-entering the venue on Sunday.

But, as the investigation is ongoing, no further comment will be made.

Nastase said on Monday: “I don’t regret it and they can send me to prison if they want – I don’t care.”

The Times reported on Monday that the All England Club has held initial discussions about Nastase’s behaviour and will not invite him into the Royal Box at Wimbledon this year.

An All England Club spokesman told the Press Association: “Invitations to the Royal Box are at the discretion of the chairman and committee of management who will take into account a range of factors, including any suspensions, when determining the guest list for the Championships.”

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Serena Williams calls Ilie Nastase comments 'racist' and backs investigation

Serena Williams says Ilie Nastase’s recent comments about her unborn child are “racist” and has given her backing to a full investigation.

Nastase, a former world number one, was heard speculating whether Williams’ child would be “chocolate with milk?”

“It disappoints me to know we live in a society where people like Ilie Nastase can make such racist comments,” Williams said in a statement.

Williams, 35, is due to give birth to her first child in the autumn.

“I have said it once and I’ll say it again, this world has come so far but yet we have so much further to go,” Williams added. “Yes, we have broken down so many barriers – however there are a plethora more to go.

“This or anything else will not stop me from pouring love, light and positivity into everything that I do. I will continue to take a lead and stand up for what’s right.”

The International Tennis Federation (ITF) has launched an investigation into the comments made by 70-year-old Nastase, Romania’s Fed Cup captain, at a news conference before their tie with Great Britain in Constanta last week.

“I humbly thank the ITF for any consideration given to all the facts in this case. They will have my full support,” added Williams, who announced her engagement to Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian in December.

The 23-time Grand Slam champion also included passages from the poem Still I Rise by American civil rights activist Maya Angelou in her statement.

“I am not afraid like you. You see, I am no coward. Does my sassiness upset you? Why are you beset with gloom? You may shoot me with your words… you may try to kill me with your hatefulness, but still like the air, I rise.”

• Nastase banned after swearing at tearful Konta
• Comaneci defends Nastase over outburst

WARNING: Some people may find the language below offensive

Williams criticises Nastase’s treatment of GB team

Nastase’s comments about Williams were followed by a foul-mouthed outburst during Romania’s Fed Cup win over Great Britain.

Nastase swore at the umpire before abusing Johanna Konta and GB captain Anne Keothavong – calling them both “a bitch” multiple times – leaving Konta reduced to tears.

Before the tie began, he also put his arm tightly around Keothavong and asked for her room number, in earshot of the watching media.

Williams referenced the incidents in Romania in her statement, saying Nastase had made “sexist comments against my peers”.

Nastase was banned from the tie and later handed a provisional suspension by the ITF.

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Thiem Confident Ahead Of Barcelona 2017

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Andy Murray admits it's 'always hard to stay at top' of rankings

Andy Murray says it will be hard to remain as world number one but hopes he has overcome his recent injury problems.

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Sharapova's comeback opponent questions wildcard

Maria Sharapova’s first opponent following her 15-month doping ban has questioned the decision to give the Russian wildcards on the WTA Tour.

Sharapova plays Italy’s Roberta Vinci in the first round of the Porsche Grand Prix in Stuttgart on Wednesday.

The 30-year-old’s wildcard entry has already been called “disrespectful” by ex-world number one Caroline Wozniacki.

“I don’t agree about the wildcard here and about the wildcard in Rome and the other tournaments,” said Vinci, 34.

Sharapova was given a two-year ban last year, backdated to 26 January 2016, after testing positive for heart disease drug meldonium at the Australian Open.

Her suspension was reduced to 15 months in October, following her appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

Sharapova will also receive wildcards for upcoming tournaments in Madrid and Rome.

World number 36 Vinci added: “She made her mistakes for sure, but she paid and I think she can return to play – but without any wildcards.”

Agnieszka Radwanska of Poland, who could meet Sharapova in the second round in Stuttgart, has also been among those to question the treatment of the former world number one, saying she should not be invited to Grand Slams.

Those views were met with a scathing response by Sharapova’s agent Max Eisenbud, who labelled Radwanska, 28, and 26-year-old Wozniacki of Denmark “journeyman” rivals who wanted to prevent the Russian playing at next month’s French Open because it is their “last chance to win a Slam”.

Sharapova, twice a winner at the French Open, is unranked and will require a wildcard to compete at Roland Garros when the tournament starts next month, with France’s tennis federation yet to announce its decision.

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Staying as number one will be tough – Murray

Andy Murray says keeping his world number one ranking will be “difficult” because of the depth of competition at the top level of tennis.

Briton Murray, 29, holds a healthy lead over Novak Djokovic in the rankings as he begins his Barcelona Open campaign on Wednesday.

However, his year has been hampered by illness, injury and poor form.

“I’m happy to be fit and healthy again and hopefully I can start to play some good tennis again soon,” said Murray.

“It’s always hard to maintain your ranking at the top of the game.

“You have some of the best players of all time playing just now and playing great tennis.

“A lot of the young ones are starting to play better and better – so it’s going to be tough.”

Murray opens in Barcelona against the winner of the match between Dustin Brown of Germany and Australian Bernard Tomic.

He lost to Albert Ramos-Vinloas in the third round of the Monte Carlo Masters last week and accepted a late wild card for Barcelona in a bid for more time on court ahead of next month’s French Open.

“I want to try to get matches in,” said Murray. “I haven’t played in the last five or six weeks. That’s the reason for coming here.

“The best way to adapt to new surfaces [is] playing naturally against the best players in the world.

“It doesn’t matter how many times you practice, it’s getting the matches in that counts. My job is to try to win matches this week and hopefully I can do that.”

Murray, the beaten finalist at in last year’s French Open, initially appeared to struggle with his serve after his return from an elbow injury, but the Scot believes that is improving.

“I was happy with how it felt last week,” he said. “I didn’t have loads of time to practise the serve beforehand, but it felt good and I served better as the matches went on. I’m sure here it will be better again.”

Murray is seeded to meet world number five Rafael Nadal, who will also play his first match on Wednesday, in Sunday’s final.

The Spaniard, who beat compatriot Ramos-Vinloas to win his 10th Monte Carlo final, is looking for a 10th Barcelona title and has won the French Open nine times.

“His results on clay everywhere are very special,” Murray said. “He’s dominated all over the major clay court events throughout his career.

“To win 10 times in one place, I don’t know if it’s ever been done, but I’d be surprised if it had because it is a very difficult thing to do.”

Jamie Murray’s frustrating year continued after he and partner Bruno Soares were knocked out after a match tie-break, 7-6, 2-6 (10-3), in the first round in Barcelona by Fabrice Martin and Edouard Roger-Vasselin.

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