BUCHAREST: Romanian tennis great Ilie Nastase apologised on Friday for racist comments about Serena Williams and for a foul-mouthed and abusive Fed Cup tirade that saw him suspended by the International Tennis Federation (ITF).

“My words during the Fed Cup have rightfully caused controversy and upset the audience, the press and, most painfully for me, the tennis world,” the former world number one and two-time Grand Slam winner, 70, said on Facebook.

He said that his comments last Friday about the pregnant Serena — he was overheard by a journalist talking about her baby being “chocolate with milk” — was a “spontaneous” reaction to hearing she was expecting a child.

“I am fully aware that nothing can truly excuse my statements — not the tension of a high-stakes game, not my traditionally irreverent attitude, not the unfortunate escalation of the situation,” he said.

“My life remains dedicated to tennis and its audiences, so please accept my apologies, for whatever they may be worth right now.”

Published in Dawn, April 29th, 2017