Featured Image Credit: TNT Sports
Topics: Australian Open, Tennis
Nasir Jabbar
An umpire was forced to intervene after Alejandro Davidovich Fokina clashed with a spectator at the Australian Open.
Davidovich Fokina was involved in a furious exchange with a fan inside the Kia Arena during his match against Reilly Opelka.
The incident happened when he was trailing 2-1 in the fourth set.
The Spaniard stormed over to the front row and confronted a person before angrily shouting in his direction.
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He then called the chair umpire, who climbed down from his seat before speaking with the 14th seed. Moments later, the official walked over to the front row and appeared to back the tennis star.
Davidovich Fokina went onto beat America's Opelka 6-3 7-6 (7-3) 5-7 4-6 6-4 and passionately celebrated his second-round victory by yelling to the sky before throwing his cap onto the court and gesturing towards his team.
After the Australian Open clash, Davidovich Fokina called out 'ignorant drunks'.
"It can happen here, it can happen wherever in the world," he said.
"So there were four ignorant drunks that I can do nothing about. Nothing more."
It wasn't an isolated incident as other players have complained about the crowd's behaviour at this year's Australian Open.
Britain's Harriet Dart compared the atmosphere during her tie to a 'football match' and urged for greater 'respect' from fans.
"I felt like I was at a football match. Obviously it's great to have lots of people there watching and everything but I also think there has to be respect towards both players," said Dart, who was beaten 4-6 6-0 6-2 by Donna Vekic on court 14.
"I think a few people were about to be kicked out. I can only really compare it to the Billie Jean King Cup and I don't even think I've had it be like that before.
"I think [the umpire] did as best as she could - maybe there should be a stricter policy in terms of if people are doing something, if they do it more than once they are out, but I don't make those rules."
Davidovich Fokina's fellow countryman Jaume Munar also had a run-in with a fan during his match against Dalibor Svrcina.
He yelled in frustration when a spectator started chanting right before he served in his first-round win over Svrcina.