Ilie Nastase was controversial as a player in his day, and the Romanian can still create a buzz long into retirement. The former world No. 1 spoke out against Simona Halep’s decision to skip Romania's Fed Cup tie against Canada in Montreal, according to Tennis.com’s Matt Cronin.
Read Cronin's Full Article Here
Here's the quote verbatim:
"Ask Halep why she doesn’t want to play for Romania. Why she goes to Stuttgart and not play at the Fed Cup," Nastase told Romanian reporters, according to Cronin. "I went to the Davis Cup for my country, and she goes to Stuttgart… I find it reprehensible that she says she's tired, but she goes to Stuttgart. I would ask a question—what is important, the Fed Cup or Stuttgart?... You only play once or twice a year on the national team. Maybe she does not like team spirit. You do not get No. 1 if you play in Stuttgart. You reach No. 1 if you think about the Grand Slams."
More surprisingly, Canada’s Eugenie Bouchard has elected to skip the tie as well even though it is taking place in her home province of Quebec. According to Cronin, Halep released the following statement, explaining her stance on the matter.
Halep, who is playing with a heavy heart this spring due learning about the the death of her cousin just prior to competing at Indian Wells, was recently seen signing autographs and spending time with children in Bucharest. Halep has partnered with Dorna in a campaign to help save children who are born prematurely: