iPhone | iPad
Android
Huawei
Rice symbolised the freedom provided by 'Carsball' as he was allowed to advance far further forward than at the Euros
KT APPDOWNLOAD
Fans targeting Djokovic risk being kicked out of Australian Open
The Serbian will be back at the Grand Slam in Melbourne next week
Novak Djokovic attends a practice match with Daniil Medvedev ahead of the Australian Open. — AFP
Australian Open spectators were warned on Wednesday that they risk being ejected if they target nine-time champion Novak Djokovic.
The Serbian will be back at the Grand Slam in Melbourne next week after being deported on the eve of last year's tournament over his Covid vaccination stance.
His deportation divided opinion in a city that endured some of the longest lockdowns in the world at the height of the pandemic. How he is received remains to be seen.
The 35-year-old was however warmly welcomed at the Adelaide International last week with the crowd overwhelmingly in his corner. He went on to win the tournament.
Australian Open tournament director Craig Tiley told the Herald Sun newspaper that any fans looking to taunt Djokovic would not be tolerated.
"If they disrupt the enjoyment of anyone else -- boom, they are out," he said.
"We don't want them on site. They can stay away or we will kick them out."
Tiley encouraged fans to "be respectful".
"The one thing that I always liked about Melbourne is there is a great appreciation of excellence and for sport, I think more than anywhere in Australia," he said.
"I have an expectation that people will appreciate that."
The Australian Open starts on Monday but Djokovic's return to Melbourne Park will actually be at a ticketed exhibition match against Nick Kyrgios on Friday at a sold-out Rod Laver Arena.
Three-time major champion Andy Murray said he was confident Djokovic would be given the respect he deserves.
"I don't like seeing players get booed, it's not a nice feeling when that happens," he said at the Kooyong Classic in Melbourne.
"Novak got a lot of support in Adelaide, I'm sure it will be the same in Melbourne."
Djokovic, one of the most successful men's players of all time, said in Adelaide that the support he received there was "something that I don't think I've experienced too many times in my life".
"It definitely felt like playing at home," he added.
More news from Sports
Mainly packed stadia, iconic venues and the feelgood factor derived from the Olympics that came before them turned the Paralympics into a festival of sport
The tournament featuring 12 corporate teams will allow local talents to showcase their skills in the 100-ball format
Left with a depleted attack, Afghanistan have named three uncapped players
This US Open was the first Grand Slam Sabalenka had won since the death of her former boyfriend in March
The grueling 160km race, held in Monpazier, France, attracted 118 riders representing 39 nations
Fritz outlasted Tiafoe in the semi-finals to take a big step towards ending his country's 21-year wait for a men's Grand Slam champion
Amateurs Afzaal Ahmad, Parvez Ahmed, and Arbaaz Ahmad shine with an Impressive 89-point performance at the Emirates Golf Club