Tennis

11 ejected for rowdy behavior at Australian Open

Published Jan. 18, 2010 8:37 a.m. ET

foxsports

Eleven fans were ejected from Melbourne Park for disruptive behavior Monday and another group was denied entry on the first day of the Australian Open.

The incidents recalled ethnic tensions that have marred the tennis tournament in recent years, leading to upgraded security this year.

Victoria Police Superintendent Jock Menzel said the 11 people ejected had been standing on chairs and bothering other spectators during Croatian Ivo Karlovic's win over 13th-seeded Radek Stepanek of the Czech Republic.

One man was found to be carrying two flares that he had smuggled past security officials searching bags at the venue.

``These people have been removed from the stadium and they're not welcome to return,'' Menzel said.

Menzel said he was not aware who they were supporting.

In a separate incident, a group of Croatian supporters in red and white checked clothing and hooded sweat shirts were denied entry to the park after setting off a flare outside the grounds.

``Tennis Australia and Victoria Police, we won't tolerate poor behavior and we've demonstrated that this morning,'' Menzel said. ``We're here to set a standard. Our mission is to make sure the event occurs in a happy and safe way and that people are safe.''

New security measures this year include more police and more security cameras around Melbourne Park, which has hosted the Australian Open since 1988. Police also have new powers to eject guests or issue immediate fines.

Australia has a large population of immigrants from the Balkans whose ethnic rivalries are sometimes displayed at sports events.

At last year's Australian Open, a chair-throwing brawl erupted between supporters of Serbia's Novak Djokovic and Bosnian-born American Amer Delic. Several people are facing court charges over that fight.

In 2007, Serbian and Croatian fans scuffled in a grass area near Rod Laver Arena.

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