Friday 28 April 2017 14:41, UK
Ilie Nastase has apologised for swearing at Britain’s Fed Cup team and explained his comments about Serena Williams’ unborn child which led to his suspension.
The 70-year-old posted a statement on Facebook, a week after he speculated about the skin colour of the baby during a press conference after the 23-time grand slam winner announced she was pregnant.
Nastase, the captain of Romania's Fed Cup team, was suspended by the International Tennis Federation, which is looking into his remarks and behaviour towards Anne Keothovang.
He interrupted the conference twice to jokingly ask Britain's Fed Cup captain for her room number, telling her "We keep being attracted."
The former player is also being investigated for swearing at Johanna Konta, Keothavong and match officials after the British team complained about calls from the crowd in Romania during points, which led to the tie being temporarily suspended and left Konta in tears.
Nastase, who was expelled from the match last Saturday, said he would not try to "defend my words, but I assure you that behind them was my desire to defend the interests of the Romanian team and Romanian tennis".
He called tennis "my life", saying his outburst meant "I managed to do what I didn't imagine was possible, to feel that tennis was slipping away from me".
"I know that nothing can really excuse my words, nor a high-level match, not the non-conformist attitude I am now known for, not the unfortunate amplification of the situation.
"My life remains dedicated to tennis and its public and I ask you to accept, as much as is possible, my apologies."
Romania won the Fed Cup tie 3-2 with Sorana Cirstea accusing Konta of gamesmanship, claiming Romanians are "tougher than British people".
Nastase added: "I think what happened was exaggerated from all sides. Nonetheless, Johanna Konta should not have spoken with the chair umpire, that's what the team captain does," he added.
"I asked her in a civilised way for some explanations and she sent me to the tribune where I was removed as captain.
"After this, the umpire suspended the match. I don't know why the match was suspended."
Nastase's comments about Williams' unborn baby led to the 35-year-old branding his outburst "racist".
He explained his remarks, writing: "At the press conference I was asked what opinion I had about Serena being pregnant.
"I then found out for the first time (she was pregnant) and my reaction was spontaneous."
The two-time grand slam winner added the American was "one of the greatest players of all times and I know how much work goes into achieving these results".
