World number 1 Serena Williams has reacted on her Instagram account to the recent comments Romanian tennis legend Ilie Nastase made about her unborn child, calling them “racist”.

During a press conference at last week’s Fed Cup draw in Constanta, referring to William’s unborn child, Nastase was heard saying to one of his team members, in Romanian: “Let’s see what color it has. Chocolate with milk?”. This has triggered many negative reactions.

“It disappoints me to know we live in a society where 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,” reads the American tennis player’s message on Instagram.

Serena Williams announced earlier this month that she is pregnant. She is due to give birth to her first child this autumn.

Referring to the investigation the International Tennis Federation (ITF) has started in this case, Williams wrote in her message: “I humbly thank the ITF for any consideration given to all the facts in this case. They will have my full support.”

However, Nastase’s problems haven’t stopped here. He was present at last week’s Fed Cup match between Romania and Great Britain, as he was the Romanian team’s captain. During the draw ceremony on Friday, he also put his arm tightly around British team captain Anne Keothavong and asked for her room number, in earshot of the watching media. Keothavong is pregnant with her second child.

Then, during Saturday’s match, the former Romanian tennis star insulted Great Britain captain Anne Keothavong and player Johanna Konta on court. Following his reactions, ITF Referee Andreas Egli asked Nastase to leave the court. Moreover, on Sunday, ITF announced that its “Internal Adjudication Panel has issued Ilie Nastase with a provisional suspension under the Fed Cup Regulation.”

“Under the terms of the provisional suspension, Nastase may not participate in the Fed Cup in any capacity with immediate effect, and shall be denied access to, and accreditation for, any ITF event including Fed Cup,” reads the statement.

Nastase also insulted British journalist Eleanor Crooks twice, calling her “stupid.” All these reactions triggered many negative comments about Ilie Nastase, especially in the British media.

However, former Romanian gymnastics star Nadia Comenaci jumped to defend Nastase.

“Ilie is very patriotic and sometimes he says things that he doesn't really mean - it's just Ilie, and he will always be my friend,” she told the Press Association, reports The Independent. “Of course Ilie is responsible for what comes out of his mouth, and I think it is important in sport that you keep the respect and good behavior.”

She added: “He will have to deal with it (the consequences), but he can survive whatever happens to him. People make mistakes. Everybody in Romania loves Ilie because he is Ilie.”

However, despite the scandal at the Fed Cup encounter between Romania and Great Britain, the Romanian team managed to defeat Britain 3-2.

Irina Popescu, irina.popescu@romania-insider.com