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An unruly fan has been kicked out of Rod Laver Arena for delaying Rafael Nadal’s second-round clash against Michael Mmoh after launching a bizarre explosive tirade himself at World No.2.
As Nadal tried to serve the second set, a disturbance could be heard from the crowd. Nadal tried to ignore him and continue playing, but when he continued the match ended.
Nadal and Mmoh both looked puzzled as a woman in the crowd appeared to scream as fans scoffed.
The referee intervened at the microphone: “Thank you madam, you are delaying everyone”, which only provoked the woman.
Reports from the stands suggest she shouted “hurry up TOC f —” at the Spaniard.
She then gave the finger directly to Nadal who was seen laughing at center court.
Nadal was kind enough to see the lighter side of the situation, chuckling to himself, but the crowd at Rod Laver Arena weren’t as forgiving as they went to fight for the Spaniard by booing the woman.
The game resumed, but two points later the same woman reappeared shouting “w – ker” as Nadal attempted to serve. Cameras grabbed the woman and then waved her arms wildly, prompting security to remove her once and for all.
She briefly took a stand for a minute, appearing to try to apologize to Nadal, before finally being forcibly removed from the arena.
“A bit of turmoil in the crowd,” said Australian tennis star John Fitzgerald as the madness ensued on the pitch.
“I couldn’t hear the specific language, there was a bit of ill will between two women.
“Well, there’s a woman who’s getting pretty lively, we could ask her to leave, actually. I think she’s having a crack with Rafa, I don’t know why, she’s the first person I have. saw it doing that.
Australian Open: Rafael Nadal against Michael Mmoh
“She’s a little drunk I think, it’s chaos. It’s so unnecessary, it’s just an individual who made a complete goose of themselves.”
The world No.2 managed to overcome the hiccups and power to win the match in straight sets 6-1 6-4 6-2.
Asked about the post-match disruption, Nadal was his usual class.
“No (I don’t know her),” he laughs. “And honestly, I don’t want to know.”
Never a dull moment at the Australian Open!
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