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

"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 No. 1 and two-time Grand Slam winner, said on Facebook.

The 70-year-old said that his comments last Friday about the pregnant Serena - he was overheard by a journalist talking about her unborn baby's colour 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."

The day after the Serena comments, Nastase was kicked out of a Fed Cup tie between Romania and Britain after swearing at the umpire, at Britain's pregnant captain Anne Keothavong and at their No. 1 player Johanna Konta.

Keothavong had also revealed that Nastase made "inappropriate" comments during a dinner before the tie. He had repeatedly asked for Keothavong's hotel room number, telling her: "We keep being attracted".

Nastase, renowned during his golden era for his pranks, hot-headed unpredictability and being a playboy, ignored the ban on Sunday and turned up at the venue on the Black Sea coast. He was seen by reporters walking into the VIP lounge.

The ITF later confirmed Nastase was not allowed to be on site in any capacity and the Romanian Tennis Federation president subsequently said he had left.

"I was five when I first picked up a racket. Since then, tennis has been more than a sport or a profession for me.

"Tennis has been, and is, my life, and for tennis I have sacrificed almost everything, personal or professional," Nastase said in his new statement.

"Unfortunately, now, in my 70s, I have somehow managed to do something I have never wanted or even imagined: to feel tennis moving further away from me. The last few days have been difficult for me," he said.

Nastase added that what happened "has been exaggerated by all."

"Joanna Konta had no right to speak to the chairman (umpire), the team captain is the only one who can do this. I asked the chairman for some explanations in a civilised manner, but he sent me to the stand," he said.

"In the stand, they withdrew my status as captain of the Romanian Team and I became a simple spectator. After this, the referee suspended the match. I do not understand why he did it and based on what point from the regulation?"

Nastase, however, had found support closer home. Legendary Romanian gymnast Nadia Comaneci had defended him saying: "Ilie is very patriotic and sometimes he says things that he doesn't really mean," said Comaneci. "Everybody in Romania loves Ilie because he is Ilie."

She, however, had added: "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 behaviour."

She also later posted on social media that she "cannot condone or defend" Nastate's "ugly" remarks and had warned that the 70-year-old must accept any punishment imposed by the ITF. (Agencies)