Google News Stan Wawrinka weighs in on fans risking being kicked out for taunting Novak Djokovic
by DZEVAD MESIC | VIEW 7592
Stan Wawrinka believes booing players is a part of the game but noted that crossing the line in heckling is not acceptable. Novak Djokovic, a record nine-time Australian Open champion, is set to play at Melbourne Park 12 months after the infamous Australia visa saga.
Ahead of Djokovic's return, Australian Open boss Craig Tiley revealed that booing and heckling players will very likely result in getting kicked out of the court. “If they go over the limit then yes, but I think they should be allowed to do whatever they want.
They do it every year with every player – if they don’t like the player, or they like another one, they will boo one and cheer for the other one. That’s tennis. That’s sport. That’s what you want. So of course, things happened with Novak last year, and I think there was many mistakes – not only Novak.
I do believe they will not boo him. They will be happy to see him and it’s going to be a great tournament," Wawrinka told The Herald Sun, as revealed on Tennis365.
Wawrinka, Andy Murray on Djokovic's reception in Melbourne
Last week, Djokovic kicked off his 2023 season at the Adelaide International.
In Adelaide, Djokovic was received extremely well. But now the time has come for Djokovic to come out and play matches at Melbourne Park. Going into this year's Australian Open, Murray is hoping Djokovic receives a warm welcome in his return to Melbourne Park.
“I don’t like seeing players get booed, it’s not a nice feeling when that happens. Novak got a lot of support in Adelaide, I’m sure it will be the same in Melbourne," Murray said. Djokovic is a true icon at Melbourne Park but it is not a secret that some Melbournians wanted him deported from Australia 12 months ago.