Nastase appeals against ITF ban in Fed Cup row

Bengaluru, August 17: Romania Fed Cup captain Ilie Nastase has appealed after being banned from official roles by the International Tennis Federation (ITF) until 2021.

The Romanian tennis great was in the ITF dock for his abusive behaviour as Romania's Fed Cup captain in a tie with Britain in Bucharest in April.

The two-time Grand Slam winner is banned from all ITF competitions until December 2020, excluded from all ITF competitions excluding Grand Slams until December 2018, and fined $10,000 (8,588 euros).

Nastase, who won the US Open in 1972 and the French Open the following year, had said he would quit tennis if he was banned.

The controversial 71-year-old was sensationally kicked out of the Fed Cup tie in the Romanian capital on the second day for his irrational conduct, escorted from the court by security staff.

Othe opening day he was overheard making derogatory remarks about US superstar Serena Williams's pregnancy.

"Let's see what colour it (the baby) has. Chocolate with milk?," he said in Romanian, remarks then reported widely internationally, including by a British female reporter who he then berated, describing her as "stupid" and "ugly".

He also asked British captain Anne Keothavong for her hotel room number.

He was also later barred from the Royal Box at Wimbledon.