Nastase criticizes absent Romanian players in BJK Cup: "When a child starts playing a sport, they only think about representing Romania"
Mid-April saw the Billie Jean King Cup qualifiers take place. However, these did not meet with great success among the top WTA players, as only three top-20 players (Rybakina, Svitolina, and Haddad Maia) represented their countries in recent days.
Moreover, the absence of tour stars had been openly criticized by Great Britain's captain, Anne Keothavong, as well as Romania's captain, Horia Tecau.
The latter had to manage without Sorana Cirstea, Ana Bogdan, Jaqueline Cristian, Irina-Camelia Begu, or Elena-Gabriela Ruse. The former player had then suggested that female players only choose to represent their countries when the circumstances suit them.
An opinion shared by Ilie Nastase. The Romanian tennis legend is surprised by the players' choice to prioritize WTA tournaments over representing their nation.
"They should be upset about not representing Romania. Why are they going to other tournaments? I don’t want to be mean, but I have a question: are they going there because of the money, right?
Everyone can think their own way, but if I were them, I’d go play for Romania. When a child starts playing a sport, they only think about representing Romania. If they don’t think like that, it’s their problem," the former world No. 1 told the local media outlet Golazo.
these same shame as die indoctrinated in stupid war..
1) BJK Cup and Davis Cup should be every 4 years like a world Cup in football or the Ryder Cup in golf. The rarest the greatest.
2) give as much money as a GS
3) organise it during 2 weeks in just ONE place like the olympics. Same place for women and men. You could even mix them.
And THEN it would become one of the main event in tennis.