[VolandriFan]

I have noticed some questionable behaviour involving the spectators at this year's Australian Open. Obviously all tournaments have their niggles, but I feel that the issues have been quite frequent and well represented this year. Just a few things I've seen several times:

- Booing seriously injured players for retiring.
- Cheering for double faults and easy errors.
- Not giving any credit to opponents of Australian players
- Yelling out offensive and distracting remarks to the players ("Lose this fucking set Ferrero!", "Hit a double fault.")
- Racist remarks regarding war and conflict between countries.
- Excessive noise during points.
- The infamous capsicum spray incident.
- Calling balls during play.

So would you say that this is just normal? Am I overreacting, or has this year's open really been more rowdy than usual?

 

[Adler]

In US Open's case some of your points would also appear, but of course it's not normal

 

[alexinmusic]

I even heard of a scream "out" form a spectator when a player serves. actually the "out" made a ACE!!!!!

 

[R.Federer]

It seems rowdy. I feel that over the years as a lot of countries who were more used to team sports like soccer/football and where it had become a culture of loud rowdy behavior, now have players playing tennis and they have brought that football behavior to the tennis stadiums. It's alright, it can be festive if it doesn't cross the lines.

 

[*Ljubica*]

I still tend to think the Aussies are some of the best tennis crowds out there - certainly far better than the US or the French, Spanish and South American. I agree they've been a bit rowdier than usual this year (possibly because of the many late, LATE matches and the amount of alcohol involved), but, on the whole I still think the Aussies are a very sporting nation and the fans enjoy their sport. They cheer for their own player of course (nothing wrong with that), and can get quite rowdy after a few beers, but they do give respect to their opponents - just look at the standing ovation and respect they gave Baghdatis yesterday.

You are always going to get rowdy elements in any crowd, and perhaps one or two idiots calling out at the wrong moments to cause disruption - especially when there is alcohol invovled :shrug: But I've been amongst predominantly Aussie crowds often in my life, and they are a pretty fair bunch to my mind. They have fun and enjoy themselves, but I've never seen them behaving in the way I have seen many others behave in the past........... who could forget Grosjean v Nadal at the French Open, or Gonzalez/Berdych in Madrid The Australian crowd are :angel: in relation to these. Just my opinion anyway.

 

[Smankyou]

The lads are just trying to keep up with the Serb/Greek fans. But it's definitely rowdier this year.

 

[zookeeper]

It does seem more rowdy this year from what they are showing on tv. I don't know if it's always happened and they are just showing more of it this year or if the crowds are just different.

 

[Action Jackson]

Overreacting, there are idiots everywhere, just the amount varies.

 

[norwood_10]

They must all be SOCCER hooligans :retard: :retard: :retard: :retard: :retard: :retard: :retard: :retard: :retard:

 

[gomeny]

it is there nations premire sporting event so they will draw all kinds of people to the event.