Fans will be 'kicked out' if they taunt former world No. 1 Novak Djokovic too much says Craig Tiley

Updated 11/01/2023 at 11:01 GMT

Novak Djokovic's return to Melbourne is one of the big storylines ahead of the 2023 Australian Open. Djokovic was deported from Australia a year ago after a 10-day saga over his vaccination status. He is bidding for a 10th title in Melbourne this month and Australian Open boss Craig Tiley has told fans what they can expect if they go over the top with taunting towards Djokovic.

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Australian Open boss Craig Tiley has warned fans they will be kicked out if they cross the line in taunting Novak Djokovic.

Djokovic is returning to the Grand Slam a year after being at the centre of a vaccination storm in Melbourne.

Djokovic was eventually deported from the country in 2022 due to being unvaccinated, having spent several days at a quarantine hotel on his arrival.

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He received a warm welcome in Adelaide, where he won the title, but may face a more hostile reception in Melbourne, which was subjected to the world’s longest lockdown during Covid-19 restrictions.

Tiley, though, has issued a warning for supporters intending to heckle Djokovic.

“If they disrupt the enjoyment of anyone else - boom, they are out,’’ he told The Herald Sun.

“We don’t want them on site. They can stay away or we will kick them out.’’

Tiley added that he has been in contact with Djokovic and expects his return to be well received in Melbourne.

"We have spoken a fair bit over the past week and he really enjoyed his experience in South Australia," he said.

“Our sporting fans are among the most educated in the world. They appreciate greatness. I'm pretty confident that the fans of Melbourne, similar to the experience that he had in Adelaide, will be just as good."

Djokovic played a practice match against Daniil Medvedev on Rod Laver Arena on Wednesday.

Tiley added there would not be a no specific “boo policy” in place.

Djokovic is a nine-time champion at the Australian Open and is bidding for a record-equalling 22nd Grand Slam title.

Former Australian Open winner Stan Wawrinka thinks fans should be free to express their feelings.

“If they go over the limit (then yes), but I think they should be allowed to do whatever they want,” he told The Herald Sun.

“They do it every year with every player – if they don't like the player, or they like another one, they will boo one and cheer for the other one. That's tennis. That's sport. That's what you want.

“So of course, things happened with Novak last year, and I think there was many mistakes from different (parties) – not only Novak.”

Djokovic has said that he will never forget what happened in Melbourne last year.

“You can't forget those events. It's something I have never experienced before and hopefully never again but it is a valuable life experience for me and something that will stay there. But I have to move on,' he said.

“What happened to me 12 months ago was not easy for me or my family or team,' he added. 'It was disappointing to leave the country like that but I was really hoping to get permission to play back in Australia. It's a country where I have had tremendous support. I have always played my best tennis here.”

The 2023 Australian Open starts on January 16.

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Stream the 2023 Australian Open live on discovery+ and eurosport.co.uk

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