Ethnic Violence Erupts at Aussie Open

Serbs, Bosnians throw chairs during Djokovic-Delic match

By Jason Farago, Newser Staff

Posted Jan 23, 2009 8:01 AM CST

(Newser) – Violence broke out again at the Australian Open today, as Serbian and Bosnian spectators threw punches, then chairs, at each other in Melbourne Park's garden square. The incident took place as Novak Djokovic, the Serbian defending champion, played his third-round match against Amer Delic, a Bosnian-born American. One woman was knocked out, and police arrested two men and ejected 30 spectators, the Telegraph reports.

With tournament gaining a reputation for such scuffles, police instituted new security measures after incidents in 2007 and 2008. But earlier this week two fans were thrown out for fighting after a match between Croatian and Serbian players. There were no incidents inside the stadium, where Djokovic won today’s match 6-2, 4-6, 6-3, 7-6.

[Images (6)]

[Videos (2)]

Serbia's Novak Djokovic returns to American Amer Delic during their men's singles match at the Australian Open today in Melbourne. (AP Photo)

Serbia's Novak Djokovic, left, embraces Amer Delic of the US at the net after beating him in their men's singles match at the Australian Open today. (AP Photo)

Serbia's Novak Djokovic returns to American Amer Delic during their men's singles match at the Australian Open today in Melbourne. (AP Photo)

Fans turned violent at Melbourne Park today during a third-round Australian Open match featuring Novak Djokovic. (Courtesy Herald Sun)

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Ethnic Violence Erupts at Aussie Open