Flags and Wallies: Melbourne Park fans anger players at Australian Open | Australian Open 2023

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Spectators at the Australian Open were in the spotlight on Thursday after separate incidents angered players at Melbourne Park.

In his second-round match against France’s Enzo Quacode at Rod Laver Arena, Novak Djokovic complained to the referee after appearing to be cornered by a fan, one of several people dressed as Where’s Wally? like.

“Can we get this guy out?” the referee asked during the fourth set. “You know who he is. The guy’s drunk out of his mind. From the first moment he’s been provoking. He’s not here to watch tennis. He just wants to get in my head.”

“I’ve heard it at least 10 times. I’ve heard it 50 times. Why don’t you get the security guard and get him off the field?” Spectators were later escorted outside the arena.

The nine-time champ lost 6-1, 6-7(5), 6-2, 6-0, but a hamstring injury remains a concern. “It’s not good at all. I’ll take it day by day,” he said. “The last game was better than tonight. Hopefully I will be able to recover and be ready for a tough game next time.”

Spectators carry the Ukrainian flag alongside Russia’s Andrei Rublev during the second round match against Emil Rossovory. Photo: Fazri Ismail/EPA

Earlier today, Russia’s Andrei Rublev complained to the referee about spectators during a match against Finland’s Emil Russovory. Two men are seen at the Kia Arena waving the Ukrainian flag in the direction of the No. 5 seed.

“The flag for me is okay,” Rublev told the referee early in the second set during his 6-2, 6-4, 6-7(2), 6-3 win. “But they say bad words to me.”

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After the match Rublev said: “It wasn’t about the flag. I told the referee right away, it’s not about the flag, they can put any flag they want. I totally understand the situation. They start telling me bad words and bad things.”

Last February, Rublev wrote the message “No to war please” on a camera in the stadium after his victory over Hubert Hurkacz in the Dubai Duty Free Championships. Russian flags were banned from Melbourne Park on Tuesday after fans waving at a crowd sparked heavy criticism from the Ukrainian ambassador.

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