Fans have been warned they will be ejected from Melbourne Park in the event that they attack controversial nine-time champion Novak Djokovic.
The 35-year-old has been criticized for his views on vaccinations, he told the BBC last February that he would fairly miss future grand slams than be forced to receive a COVID vaccine.
The Serb will return to Melbourne Park for the primary time since 2021, having been personally deported last yr by then Immigration Minister Alex Hawke for “health and order reasons”.
Nevertheless, Australian Open tournament director Craig Tiley has issued a warning to any fans who want to come back to the Open to attack Djokovic.
“In the event that they interrupt another person’s fun – boom, they’re out,” he said. We don’t desire them there. They will stay away or we’ll kick them out.”
Tiley warned of the removal and possible bans for hooligan fans, asking attendees to “respect”.
“The one thing I’ve at all times liked about Melbourne is the nice appreciation for excellence and sport, I feel greater than anywhere in Australia,” said Tiley. “I expect people to understand it.”
Djokovic was warmly welcomed by fans last week on the Adelaide International, which he won after defeating Sebastian Korda in the ultimate.
Djokovic returned to the Rod Laver Arena on Tuesday night for an exhibition match against Daniil Medvedev but was forced to desert the match with a hamstring injury after losing the primary set 6-4 to the Russian.
Djokovic, who was also battling an injury in Adelaide, stopped the match 3 times to treat the injury. Djokovic said throughout the tournament in Adelaide that the injury was not “frightened” about his performance.
The Australian Open starts on Monday, January 16.