Ex-world no.1 not welcome at Wimbledon 2017, say organisers
Former world number one men's singles player Ilie Nastase, who had made racist remarks towards Serena Williams and her unborn child, will not be welcome at this year's Wimbledon championships, organisers said on Wednesday. Wimbledon Club's chief executive Richard Lewis said that Nastase "could be stopped at the gate" if he tried to enter the grounds with a ticket.
Former Romanian tennis player Ilie Nastase will not be welcome at this year's Wimbledon championships and could be stopped at the gate if he tries to attend, organisers said on Wednesday.The 70-year-old former French and U.S. Open champion is provisionally banned from all International Tennis Federation (ITF) events after hurling allegedly racist and sexist comments during Romania's Fed Cup tie with Britain last month.All England Club chairman Philip Brook said he "condemned" the behaviour of two-time Wimbledon runner-up Nastase."In terms of an invitation to the Royal Box, he won't receive one this year," Brook said at the club's spring news conference.Club chief executive Richard Lewis went further, saying Nastase "could be stopped at the gate" if he tried to enter the grounds with a ticket.