Wimbledon confirm Ilie Nastase will not receive Royal Box invite at 2017 championships

Ban | Ilie Nastase will not receive an invite into the Royal Box this summer
AFP/Getty Images
Vaishali Bhardwaj12 June 2017

Wimbledon will not invite Ilie Nastase into the Royal Box for this summer's championships, All England Club chairman Philip Brook has confirmed.

Nastase was suspended by the International Tennis Federation (ITF) after launching abusive outbursts during Great Britain's Fed Cup tie away to Romania in late April, which they lost 3-2.

The former world No. 1, who had asked Great Britain captain Anne Keothavong for her hotel room number at a pre-tie press conference, reduced Johanna Konta to tears during her match with Sorana Cirstea after insulting her and Keothavong - which resulted in the 70-year-old being escorted off the court.

The ITF later released a statement to confirm Nastase would be "denied access to any ITF event, including the Fed Cup" until further investigation.

The All England Club subsequently said they would not be inviting Nastase into the Royal Box while he was suspended - news that was confirmed by Wimbledon chief Brook on Wednesday morning.

"What he did, we have to say, his actions were not very good and we condemn them," Brook said. "In terms of an invitation to the Royal Box, he is not going to receive an invitation this year."

Nastase, who was appointed Romania's Fed Cup captain in October, also caused controversy when he allegedly made racist comments about Serena Williams' unborn baby.

And, ahead of Romania's Fed Cup tie with Great Britain in Constanta, Nastase was heard saying of Williams' baby: "Let's see what colour it has. Chocolate with milk?"

The comment caused Williams, who is due to give birth in the autumn, to post a statement expressing her disappointment at Nastase.

She wrote on Instagram: "It disappoints me to know we live in a society which people like Ilie Nastase can make such racist comments towards myself and unborn child, and sexist comments against my peers.

"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. 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.

"I am not afraid unlike 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 air, I rise.

"I humbly thank the ITF for any consideration given to all the facts in this case. They will have my full support."

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