Australian tennis crowds are "seemingly doing exactly what their job description entails: motivating Australian players but annoying those from overseas," according to Decent & Toscano of the SYDNEY MORNING HERALD. During Thanasi Kokkinakis's five-set comeback against Latvian No. 11 seed Ernests Gulbis, a "vociferous Melbourne Park crowd's best efforts" were not "exactly well received by the more experienced campaigner of the two." Gulbis shouted at spectators, "Shut up." With the score at 5-4 in the first set, Gulbis demanded the Australian crowd "show a little courtesy." Gulbis blurted at the crowd, "Show some respect." Umpire Pascal Maria at one point "directed security into parts of the crowd after Gulbis complained." Gulbis' "incessant bickering" came only hours after Russian Alexander Kudryavtsev voiced "displeasure at Australian crowds, describing them as 'animals' during his five-set loss to another Australian, Marinko Matosevic." Tennis fans at Melbourne Park on Tuesday morning "strongly defended their right to 'get a bit vocal' in support of the players." One fan, Jeff Watson, whose face was "masked in green and gold face paint and shaded by a big sombrero," said, "I think it's the Australian way" (SMH, 1/20).
CALL FOR RESPECT: In Melbourne, Jackie Epstein reported Pat Cash went public with a call to fans "to be respectful of visiting players," according to Jackie Epstein of the Herald Sun. Cash said, "if you invite international players out you've got to treat them with respect." Cash: "(On Monday) the security guys cracked down in the Marcos Baghdatis match, I was there watching, he’s a mate of mine, and the crowds were out of control. Crowd behavior has been the disappointing thing of the Australian Open for the last few years.” But Seven commentator Todd Woodbridge said the players have to "suck it up." Woodbridge: "The crowds are not different than spectators at any other Grand Slam. It's creating an even bigger and better atmosphers for the tournament" (HERALD SUN, 1/21).
