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Australian Open 2022: Crowd behaviour called out after epic Matteo Berrettini victory

Crowd behaviour is back on the agenda after a wild night at the Australian Open with police called in to deal with unruly spectators.

18 min read
January 26, 2022 - 9:10AM
News Corp Australia Sports Newsroom

Matteo Berrettini showed just what a class act he is after securing his spot in the men’s semi-finals after copping an obscene slur from someone in the crowd.

Spectator behavior has been an ongoing point of controversy this Australian Open with players calling out what fans are getting away with.

As he delivered his post match interview, Berrettini was interrupted by a male spectator shouting “f*** you”. The man in question was booed.

The Italian remained cool and suggested “not everyone watching was a real tennis fan.”

“It’s full of people and I like it,” he told Sam Groth. “It is what it is you know, you cannot control everybody.”

Police escort a fan from the arena as Italy's Matteo Berrettini defeats France's Gael Monfils. Picture: William West/AFP
Police escort a fan from the arena as Italy's Matteo Berrettini defeats France's Gael Monfils. Picture: William West/AFP

Berrettini made history in becoming the first Italian man to ever reach the semi-finals of the Australian Open after his five set epic against Gael Monfils.

He later said he understood why the crowd was against him.“I’m fine when the crowd is against me, and I think when you’re playing Gael, it’s normal because Gael is really loved. Also US Open was like that, and I don’t have anything against that.

“But I have a problem when you’re not correct, because if you’re saying something, screaming something between my first and second serve, when I’m about to hit a forehand, like you cough or you do something, then it’s not right.

“I have a problem with that.”

BERRETTINI BEATS MONFILS IN FIVE

In what was an epic match, Berrettini defeated Gael Monfils in a five-set thriller to book his spot in the final four.

While being interviewed after his victory, Berrettini was forced to stop mid-answer after being interrupted by a screaming fan.

“It’s full of people,” Berrettini said.

“Some of them are not really tennis fans I think. It is what it is. You can’t control everybody.

“To be respectful is something you have to do anyway. It’s fine, I win. I’m happy.”

It was the second major incident of the night.

At the start of the fifth set, with Berrettini leading 2-0 and holding two break points, play was stopped for over a minute while security approached a group of fans.

The chair umpire had clearly had enough, handing out his own feedback to the group.

“If you don’t want to watch, please leave,” he declared.

Matteo Berrettini was interrupted during his on-court interview. Picture: Getty Images
Matteo Berrettini was interrupted during his on-court interview. Picture: Getty Images

Earlier, Berrettini led two sets to love and looked to be cruising to a semi-final berth.

However, Monfils managed to flip the script in sets three and four, with his power hitting and ability to draw out rallies changing the match.

It wasn’t enough in the end though, with Berrettini re-grouping to race through the final set, 6-2.

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(all times AEDT)

RECAP ALL THE DAY 9 ACTION BELOW

12:21PM: BERRETTINI BREAKS TO OPEN FINAL SET

What a start to this final set from Matteo Berrettini.

After looking like he may be down and out, he comes out and breaks Gael Monfils in the opening game.

And when we say that break came from nowhere, we really mean it.

Monfils led 30-love and looked in total control. But then things got sloppy.

“That was out of the blue that break of serve,” Darren Cahill said on commentary.

“All the momentum was with Monfils, even the first couple of points he played some really good tennis.”

Is that all Berrettini needs to take this set?

‘HELPLESS VICTIM’: BRUTAL REALITY OF A BARTY MASTERCLASS

What is it like to be on the receiving end of an Ash Barty masterclass?

Jessica Pegula has given an insight and, well, it’s not much fun at all.

Speaking after her 6-2 6-0 loss tonight, Pegula said she felt helpless on the court.

“It was just too good tonight from Ash,” she said.

“I think we’ve seen her do that to a lot of people. Unfortunately I was a victim tonight to that. She played a great match. There’s wasn’t much I could do.

“You feel pretty helpless. I think that she really, when she gets into a rhythm, she can kind of run away where she really starts — her game just kind of picks you apart a little bit, and it can be really frustrating because you don’t feel like you can get a lot of free points, there’s really not much you can do.

“It doesn’t feel good.

“Honestly, she just does everything I think a little bit better than everybody.”

11:20PM: MONFILS HITS BACK TO TAKE THE THIRD

Put on some coffee. We aren’t going anywhere.

Gael Monfils has struck back in this one, snatching the third set after a loose game from Berrettini.

The Italian had looked untouchable on serve until giving away the break with a double fault.

One thing is for sure. This crowd wants more tennis. It’s a public holiday in Melbourne tomorrow and no one has left.

10:45PM: BERRETTINI SECURES 2-0 LEAD

Matteo Berrettini has one foot inside the Australian Open’s final four.

The Italian star leads Gael Monfils 6-4 6-4 – and is yet to be broken this match.

No player has come back from two sets to love this tournament. Does Monfils have an epic run in him?

10:30PM: THE EPIC TO END ALL EPICS

How about this for an epic game?!

At 2-2 in the second set, with Matteo Berrettini serving, the two players squared off for more than 20 minutes and 10 deuces.

In total, 25 points were played and Berrettini saved three break points.

It proved to be a momentum defining moment of the second set, with Berrettini breaking Gael Monfils soon after.

9:30AM: BERRETTINI TAKES OPENING SET

Matteo Berrettini has struck first in his men’s quarter-final clash with Rafael Nadal.

The seventh seeded Italian secured the only break of the opening set, striking in the fifth game thanks for some thunderous hitting.

Berrettini had a couple of nervous moments while serving out the match but was able to regroup and secure the game and the set, 6-4.

‘BETTER THAN FED’: LEGEND’S STUNNING BARTY PRAISE

Ash Barty cemented her status as the world’s best with an incredible, flawless charge into the Australian Open semi-finals.

But when it comes to high praise, this is about as good as it gets.

Tennis legend Jim Courier declared the Aussie superstar’s slice backhand the best in the world — in men’s and women’s tennis.

That includes a certain superstar sitting at home in Switzerland.

Jim Courier says Ash Barty’s backhand slice technique is the best in the world. Picture: AFP
Jim Courier says Ash Barty’s backhand slice technique is the best in the world. Picture: AFP

“Ash’s slice technique is arguably the best backhand slice technique in the world, period, men’s (or) women’s tennis,” Courier said on commentary.

“Roger Federer if you’re back in Switzerland listening, that’s right, I said it bud let’s call it a draw!”

Speaking after her match, Barty was thrilled to pick up another win.

“That was solid tonight,” Barty said in the understatement of the night.

“I love to test myself against (Pegula). She came out here and really made me play my best tennis so far this week.

“She’s had an exceptional couple of years. She is definitely a top 20 player.”

6:40pm RAFA DOES IT IN FIVE

Rafael Nadal has survived a fierce comeback from 14th seed Denis Shapovalov to advance to the final four.

The Canadian took the third and fourth sets off the Spaniard superstar, but his class was ultimately too much, taking out the fifth set 6-3.

Shapovalov threw his racquet in dismay on match point, in a frustrating contest for the 22-year-old, earlier accusing the chair umpire of being “corrupt” in an explosive outburst.

6:13pm SINK P***: SPECIAL K’S EPIC INTERVIEW

They have done it!

In one of the most incredible and fiery doubles matches you will ever see, the Special K’s have advanced to the semi-finals.

Aussie stars Nick Kyrgios and Thanasi Kokkinakis fought back after tempers flared in the second set, culminating in Kyrgios throwing his racquet into the ground in anger.

But the Aussies were able to keep their cool in the decider, taking an early break as the vocal crowd roared — and SIUU’d — them home, winning 7-5, 3-6, 6-3.

And if their epic post-match interview is anything to go by, they want to go all the way.

“I’m not finished, I want to win this f***ing thing!” Kyrgios said after the win.

Kokkinakis encouraged the rowdy crowd to keep up the intensity and the support, imploring them to “sink p*** and come here.”

“When we walk through that tunnel, there is no feeling like it. We don’t want anything else. This is perfect,” Kokkinakis said.

“I haven’t played in a doubles match, even a singles match with this kind of atmosphere.

“Sink p*** and come here!”

5:32pm RAFA IN DANGER

— Joe Barton

Is Rafael Nadal on the ropes?

It’s not something you get to say all that often when the Spanish legend has been up two-sets-to-love, but Nadal is very much in a concerning place right now.

From winning the two sets, Nadal’s record is utterly incredible – he’s lost just twice in the 233 occasions he’s won the first two sets at a major, as he did on Tuesday against Denis Shapovalov.

But Shapovalov fought back to claim the third, and Nadal has looked increasingly concerned about his fitness – and called for the trainer after going down a break in the fourth set.

Nadal took some painkillers and spent time pointed at his abdomen, allaying fears it was related to the degenerative foot injury that has plagued him throughout his career.

4:39pm SPECIAL K’S TOUCHING FAN MOMENT

There have been plenty of crazy incidents that have occurred in matches involving Nick Kyrgios, but this might just take the cake.

After a serve was called a let by the umpire early in the first set n the ‘Special K’s’ doubles match, Kyrgios unnecessarily smashed the ball into the court.

The ball flew into the stands and accidentally hit a young child, named Finn, in the face, with Kyrgios’ hand over his face in horror saying it all.

Nick Kyrgios’ reaction after accidentally hitting a child in the face. Picture: Channel 9
Nick Kyrgios’ reaction after accidentally hitting a child in the face. Picture: Channel 9

After seeing the child was in tears, Kyrgios ran to his bag mid-game and over to the stands to give the youngster one of his racquets, with the touching moment turning him from villain to hero in an instant.

The gift will certainly help ease the pain — and it will be a moment he will never forget.

3:31pm BARTY BRAGGING RIGHTS

American Maddison Keys has blitzed reigning French Open champion Barbora Krejcikova in a stunning upset to advance to the semi-finals at Melbourne Park.

Keys looked comfortable throughout against the world No. 4 in the 6-3, 6-2 win in scorching conditions on Rod Laver Arena.

“I think I am going to cry,” an emotional Keys said post-match.

The win means Aussie Ash Barty will hold her No. 1 singles ranking — regardless of what happens tonight in her clash with fellow American Jessica Pegula.

Aryna Sabalenka (ranked No. 2), who was knocked out on Monday night, Garbine Muguruza (No. 3) have been eliminated from the Australian Open, with Iga Swiatek the only other top-10 ranked player remaining in the women’s draw.

Keys awaits Barty in the next round if the Aussie wins tonight and she will be no easybeat, judging by the way she disposed of Krejckova.

2:56pm PEERS OUT

Australia’s No. 1 men’s doubles player, John Peers, has been bounced from the Australian Open after a straight-sets defeat on Tuesday.

Peers and Slovakian teammate Filip Polasek were competitive but faded in their 7-6 (7-5) 6-4 quarter-final defeat to third seeds Horacio Zeballos and Marcel Granollers.

Victory would’ve put them on a path for a semi-final showdown with Australia’s loosest doubles pairing, Thanasi Kokkinakis and Nick Kyrgios.

Instead Peers will turn his attention to the mixed doubles, where he has teamed up with China’s Shaui Zhang.

1:30pm KREJCIKOVA DEJA VU?

Another day, another Barbora Krejcikova medical break.

The Czech was the first competitor to be hit with a violation for breaking the tournament’s new toilet rules earlier in the Australian Open, and she has drawn the ire of fans after she called for her trainer while 5-2 down in the first set.

It comes after Krejcikova overcame Garbine Muguruza at last year’s US Open after a timeout while she was down in the match, a move the Spaniard deemed as “unprofessional.”

1:04pm PENG SHUAI BACK FLIP

Protesters will be allowed to wear “Where is Peng Shuai?” T-shirts at the Australian Open in a backflip by Tennis Australia in the wake of public criticism.

Fans at Melbourne Park were last week ordered to remove the shirts in a move branded “pathetic” by tennis great Martina Navratilova who accused Tennis Australia of “capitulating” to China.

But, amid plans by protesters to hand out more shirts at Open finals this weekend, Tennis Australia boss Craig Tiley said fans would now be allowed to wear garments with messages supporting the Chinese doubles star.

“If you come in and you have a T-shirt on and your T-shirt says ‘Where is Peng Shuai?’ and you have a personal view on it, that is fine,’’ he said.

“We are not going to do anything with that person.”

12:47pm ALCOTT REVEALS SPECIAL MOMENT

Dylan Alcott is through to the Australian Open final in his farewell grand slam.

The Australian demolished his opponent – Britain’s Andy Lapthorne – 6-3, 6-0 as he looks to end his incredible career with one more title.

And the pair shared a special moment at the net together after the final point.

”I want to give a big shout out to Andy,” Alcott said afterwards. “We just had a big embrace at the net. I got a bit emotional. He is a beautiful man.

“He said ‘thanks for everything’. Thanks for making his dreams come true. We did this together.

“Andy started before I did. We are the same age. First Grand Slam on a centre court was with this man, Andy Lapthorne.”

Alcott, who recovered from a three hour opening match, took just over an hour to secure his spot in the final where he faces Sam Schroder.

And as always, he paid tribute to his fans.

“How good is this crowd?

“Everyone was going nuts. I was loving it. Yeah, it was awesome. And I was having a lot more fun today. That was one of my mantras, today, to make sure I had more fun and I think you could tell I really enjoyed it out here.

“That’s my second last ever match of tennis.

“We are just changing the game every day and I love being involved in it.”

12:16pm FEDERER MASSIVE PAYDAY

Roger Federer isn’t at the Australian Open this year and the champion played just five events in 2021 yet made an astonishing amount of money.

The 20-time Grand Slam winner is recovering from knee surgery last August that will probably keep him out of Wimbledon this summer.

And as he watches the drama of the Australian Open, including big rival Novak Djokovic’s deportation, Federer remains well clear for combined earnings on and off the court.

Federer made $118m in 2021, that’s about $400k a day.

The only two women in the top 10 – compiled by Forbes – were second and third respectively, Japan’s Naomi Osaka with $77m and USA icon Serena Williams on $50m – just ahead of $47m earner Djokovic.

Nobody in tennis serves you better when it comes to a clean-cut reputation than 40-year-old Federer.

But it’s actually Osaka who rakes in the most away from the playing action, reportedly accruing more than 90 per cent from deals such as endorsements with Workday, Tag Heuer and Louis Vuitton.

Covid was of course the main reason, as players ‘suffered’ from a reduction in tournaments, exhibition matches and appearance fees. Federer will be anxious to return to action this year, particularly as he, Djokovic and Rafa Nadal are locked together for the most Slam triumphs ever.

Originally published by The Sun

12:12pm ALCOTT TOO STRONG

The Aussie has pulled away in this second set and is 5-0 to the good. Start buying your tickets for Thursday folks.

11:46am ALCOTT TAKES THE FIRST

Here he comes! Alcott has taken the opening set and it getting closer to the final!

57% first serves in, 2 double faults and 11 winners from the Aussie to take it 6-3

11:25am ALCOTT LEADS

It’s hot and humid out on court and Dylan is looking sharp in the early stages of this semi-final with a break in the opening set.

Alcott leads 3-1.

11:10am DYLAN ON COURT

Speaking of dreams, Dylan Alcott is on Kia Arena right now playing his semi-final.

Alcott will retire at the end of this Australian Open so here’s to hoping he beats Lapthorne and secures his spot in the final.

One more slam title for the Aussie legend.

10:35am DARE TO DREAM

Nadal is the last-standing Australian Open singles winner as he chases his second crown at Melbourne Park, 13 years after his first in 2009.

And if Nadal’s 81-minute epic in the opening set of his fourth-round win over Frenchman Adrian Mannarino wasn’t long enough, Shapovalov – the No. 14 seed – has predicted a drawn-out battle for a semi-final berth.

“I’m definitely expecting a long battle out there,” Shapovalov said.

“Obviously he makes you play a lot. His defence is very good. He’s very good at what he does, you know. So (I’m) gonna have to try to play my game, take it to him and keep doing what I have been doing; playing patient, fighting for every point, and just, you know, picking my spots to play aggressively.”

Nadal knew he was going to have to overcome a player he regarded as having the “biggest potential” on the tour.

“As everybody knows, (he) is one of the players with the biggest potential on the tour,” Nadal said.

“I mean, when I played against him, after the match I said he (is) gonna be a potential multi-Grand Slam winner.

“And I still think that if he’s able to keep improving, he will be a multi-Grand Slam winner, no? He has a lot of amazing things on his game, and his results says that. When he’s playing well, it’s very difficult to stop him.”

Nadal acknowledged the all left-handed battle was rare but both players would adapt.

“Well, (it) is not that usual, because there are not many out there, no?,” Nadal said.

“I mean, we are used to it, and it’s a little bit different than playing against a righty, but that’s it. That’s how it is, no?

“We need to get used to (those) matches and adapt our game to that thing, and be ready to play well.

“The way to approach the match always is a little bit different, but at the end, what you think is about play yourself the best way possible.”

9:40am SEAGULL SHUTS DOWN PLAY

Sometimes rain halts play at the tennis. But we solved that problem by putting roofs on the major showcourts.

Sometimes a rowdy crowd might delay a point here and there or a player might need a quick bathroom break.

But a seagull swooping in for some dinner and finding a bug on one of the biggest show courts in the world?

That’s a new one.

But that’s just what happened on Margaret Court Arena last night at a pivotal moment in Kaia Kanepi’s clash wit Aryna Sabalenka.

Locked in a 9-minute game at 4-3, third set, the bird arrived. play was halted.

“It was quite crazy,” Kanepi said afterwards.

I think I felt a bit cold after the seagull scene. Otherwise it wasn’t that bad. Actually I was happy to start early and not that late.”

A seagull snatches a bug from the court during the women's singles match
A seagull snatches a bug from the court during the women's singles match

8:30am GRUMPY MEDVEDEV CRACKS IT

Danil Medvedev had a scare in his fourth round clash with Maxime Cressy but the world No 2 seemed to be more peeved with the fact he’d been booted to a lesser court for the second consecutive match.

Monday’s schedule sprung a number of surprises. Not least the fact that the highest ranked men’s player had been shoved aside to the No 2 court and not for the first time.

Aussie Alex de Minaur also raised some eyebrows with the home favourite scheduled third on Rod Laver Arena – seemingly because he preferred the heat – but many queried why this wasn’t Medvedev’s slot and the Aussie pushed to the prime time evening slot.

In hindsight it could have been a better option all around. Demon was demolished in straight sets despite thinking the heat would play to his advantage while Medvedev cracked the sads.

“What should I do to play on centre courts in Grand Slams, because I won the last Grand Slam. I mean, I’m highest seed here, and to play against Maxime would be easier on Rod Laver.

“When you play on a smaller court it’s tougher to play somebody who does serve and volley than on a bigger court. It’s like same in Wimbledon, I haven’t even played on Centre, because I don’t count the fifth set which I played after the rain, after being put on Court 2

“I rarely ask for the time or the court unless somebody comes to me and says, where you want to play and when? I don’t really want to be the guy who asks every time, Put me on Rod Laver or I’m gonna be unhappy.”

Medvedev was involved in some heated exchanges with the chair umpire and by his own admission lowered himself to trash talking his opponent.

He was remorseful afterwards.

“I was quite mad today because of a few things. I’m working on myself, that’s why I managed to win and still kept my composure, as much as I could, because sometimes I go much crazier than I did today,” Medvedev said.

“I don’t like trash talking. I sometimes can unfortunately roll into this, but I don’t like it. I think I try almost never to do it, especially against other players, and again, today was borderline. I don’t think I actually said anything bad about Maxime, but, yeah, borderline where I’m not really happy about it.

7:55am AGE IS BUT A NUMBER

World number two Aryna Sabalenka was sent crashing out of the Australian Open in an epic fourth-round clash Monday by veteran Kaia Kanepi to end the Belarussian’s hopes of a maiden Grand Slam title.

The second seed saved four match points before losing 5-7, 6-2, 7-6 (10/7), sending down 15 double faults as the problem that has plagued her all tournament reared its head again.

The unseeded Kanepi, 36, made it to last eight in Melbourne for the first time, a stage she has reached at every other major over a Grand Slam career dating back to 2006.

The Estonian’s reward is a clash with Polish seventh seed Iga Swiatek who battled into her third Grand Slam quarter-final and first at the Australian Open by beating Romanian Sorana Cirstea 5-7, 6-3, 6-3.

“It was a really tough match,” said Kanepi, who defeated three-time major champion Angelique Kerber in the opening round.

“Actually I thought I was going to lose after the match points I had on my serve were saved. I don’t know how I won.

“The Australian Open is the only Grand Slam where I hadn’t made the quarter-finals and I didn’t believe I could do it at my age,” added Kanepi, a four-time champion on the WTA Tour, but not since Brussels in 2013.

7:45am GREEK GOD THRILLED

Greek fourth seed Stefanos Tsitsipas won a titanic five-set duel with American Taylor Fritz to advance to the quarter-finals of the Australian Open on Monday.

Tsitsipas was staring at defeat trailing two sets to one before he fought back to beat the 20th seed Fritz 4-6, 6-4, 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 in 3hr 23min of classic late-night tennis on Rod Laver Arena.

The Greek world number four has now reached the quarter-finals for the third time and will face Italy’s 11th seed Jannik Sinner, who accounted for Australia’s Alex de Minaur in straight sets.

Tsitsipas is a two-time semi-finalist in Melbourne but is yet to win a Grand Slam title.

“It was an epic match. I gave everything out on the court today, I am very proud of myself with the way I fought and the way I stayed consistent in the moments that were close and crucial,” Tsitsipas said.

“I am overwhelmed, it’s too much, the stadium was on fire, it’s too good to be true.

7:30am GOOD MORNING

It’s almost Australia Day public holiday but we will call today Aussie Day in week two of the tennis. It’s a HUGE day of action. Dylan Alcott gets things going in the quad semi-finals at 11am while the special Ks are back at it in the doubles after that. Then it’s all eyes on Ash Barty who is looking to match her best performance in Melbourne by securing a spot in the semi-finals. She takes on Jessica Pegula at 7pm AEDT tonight.

Originally published as Australian Open 2022: Crowd behaviour called out after epic Matteo Berrettini victory

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