French Open joins Wimbledon in banning Ilie Nastase from attending over racial remarks

Following the ban imposed by Wimbledon on Ilie Nastase on attending the tournament, the French Open has also barred his entry.

Nastase was provisionally suspended by the International Tennis Federation (ITF) for racist comments made about Serena Williams at last month's Fed Cup, where he joked about what colour the tennis star's unborn child would be.

The Romanian is also under scrutiny for his behaviour during a Fed Cup match between British number one Johanna Konta and Sorana Cirstea where he called the former and Great Britain captain Anne Keothavong "f*****g b*****s."

As a result of the controversies, All England Club chairman Philip Brook confirmed on Wednesday (3 May) that Nastase was banned from attending Wimbledon despite being a regular in the Royal Box.

Nastase, who reached the Wimbledon final in 1972 and 1976, responded in typical fashion, slamming the tournament as "small-minded".

"What does Wimbledon have to do with what I said about Serena and at the match in Romania? If I did something stupid at Wimbledon then I'd understand if I were then suspended. But in this case, I don't get it."

"In 1973, when everyone else refused to play at Wimbledon [because of a boycott by the Association of Tennis Professionals] but I did – does that not count for something? Do they not think about that? If they are going to be so small-minded about it, there's nothing I can do."

The organisers of Roland Garros confirmed on Twitter that "following his suspension by the ITF, Mr Ilie Nastase won't be accredited" for this year's edition of the French Open that commences on 28 May.