ITF still determining Nastase punishment

Romania Fed Cup captain Ilie Nastase will have to wait for at least two weeks to discover if he is to face further action after he was provisionally banned from all ITF events following his verbal abuse of British players last weekend.

The 70-year-old former French and US Open champion, who earned a reputation for controversial behaviour during his playing days, was excluded from the tie on Saturday for unsportsmanlike conduct, with an investigation underway.

“(The investigation) is ongoing. At this point, one of the principles that is important is that we want a rigorous process that is fair,” International Tennis Federation (ITF) President David Haggerty said.

“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.”

Saturday’s second singles rubber between Romania and Britain was briefly suspended with world No.7 Johanna Konta in tears after the remarks made by Nastase.

Konta recovered her composure to finish off a victory over Romania’s Sorana Cirstea and level the tie at 1-1 but Romania went on to win it and after Konta and Heather Watson both lost on Sunday.

Britain’s captain Anne Keothavong also said she was made to feel uncomfortable by “inappropriate comments” made by Nastase at the official pre-match dinner.

Nastase had already run into trouble during the World Group II playoff tie in Constanta, Romania, after allegedly making a derogatory comment about Serena Williams’s unborn child.