Novak Djokovic vs Grigor Dimitrov halted as ‘heckler’ kicked out of stands | Tennis | Sport
Officials were forced to act quickly during Novak Djokovic’s Miami Open semi-final match against Grigor Dimitrov as a “heckler” was removed from the stands after just three games. Dimitrov became aggravated at 1-1 in the first set and the chair umpire rushed down onto the court, requesting for a spectator in the front row to be removed in the changeover.
Commentators confirmed the individual had been kicked out of the stadium and questioned whether a second individual also needed to be removed. It’s not the first time a fan has heckled a player this week, as Iga Swiatek was reportedly given extra security when a spectator harrassed her during a practice session.
A runner-up at last year’s Miami Open, Dimitrov was seeking a spot in the final for the second year running. But he had a tough task on his hands, facing Djokovic in the semis – a man he has only beaten once in 13 meetings.
It was a windy day in Miami and the conditions were clearly causing trouble in the first two games as the players broke each other. As Djokovic stepped up to serve at 1-1, Dimitrov suddenly became irritated by something happening courtside and appeared to confront someone.
Chair umpire Greg Allensworth realised someone was causing trouble and raced over, radioing ATP Tour supervisor Gerry Armstrong. “Gerry, Gerry, I need someone removed from the stands now,” he said on the walkie-talkie.
“Okay, so there’s a heckler here that needs to be removed. Clearly something has riled Dimitrov,” Sky Sports commentator Jonathan Overend remarked.
Allensworth informed Dimitrov that security was on the way. Getting back on his walkie-talkie, he added: “On the changeover, it’s in the front row.”
Play quickly resumed but co-commentator Colin Fleming wasn’t happy with the individual in question. “Why would you come to this match, sit in the front row and heckle someone? I just don’t understand that mentality. There’s no place for it. We see it more and more in tennis but in all sports,” he said.
Djokovic held serve to lead 2-1 and the players headed to their benches for the first changeover of the match. Commentators soon confirmed that the “heckler” had been removed.
“Dimitrov dealing with the greatest of all time but also what appears to be more than one spectator sitting in the front row,” Overend explained.
“One person has been removed, we understand, already but Greg Allensworth the umpire radioing through at the sit-down there that there’s another person who he was able to identify in terms of what he was wearing who he feels is still causing some problems.”
The issue appeared to hang over 14th seed’s head, as Djokovic raced through the first set and won it 6-2, breaking the Dimitrov serve three times.
It’s not the first time a player has had an issue with a spectator on the grounds this fortnight. A man was filmed shouting abuse at WTA No. 2 Swiatek during a practice session.
A member of Swiatek’s camp later told Super Express Sport that she would have increased security. “We are monitoring these types of cases. Constructive criticism is one thing, threats, hate speech, or even disrupting the team are another: this cannot be allowed,” the Pole’s PR manager said.
“We reported the matter to the tournament organiser as well as the WTA, who reacted immediately and took additional precautions, such as increased security, for which we are very grateful. Ensuring the safety of the athletes is the most important thing.”
