Ethnic brawls lead to police presence

Police ejected 150 people after yesterday’s melee and fear a first round match today between Croat Marin Cilic and Serbian Ilia Bozoljac could provide another flashpoint for unruly crowds.

Fans entering the venue had to pass through metal detectors as security staff searched for weapons amid threats from some of those thrown out yesterday to return for more confrontation with their rivals.

“We’ll bring shanks (home-made knife) and stab every one of them,” a Serb told the Melbourne Age newspaper, while a Croat admitted: “I’m just here for the Croats, not really to support tennis.”

Rising Serbian star Ana Ivanovic said she and other players were shocked at the violence in a country she considers her favourite on the tour.

Ivanovic said Serb and Croat players got on well, echoing compatriot Jelena Jankovic, who said yesterday that Melbourne was the only place she had seen tennis fans acting on the ancient Balkan rivalry.

“We really are friends with Croatians and they don’t mind us. I think it’s very bad that people just want to pick a fight without reason. They’re all basically Australians. They live here. “If they want to support us, it’s great to see so many of them coming in, but (there’s) just no reason for stuff like that,” Ivanovic said.

She also voiced concerns about player safety. “I think it’s not going to happen but, still, you never know if they are going to become aggressive towards us as well,” she said.

Australian Open director Craig Tiley would not elaborate on the increased security but warned any unruly fan would be quickly dealt with.

“We know and we’re confident that we have safety measures in place that do protect our fans,” he told the Seven television network.