Spectators start fighting during US Open match

A recent video posted on YouTube chronicles in detail the fight that took place between three spectators during the match between Novak Djokovic and Philipp Petzschner, on Friday night at the Arthur Ashe Stadium.

The fight started in the upper deck of the stadium when, at about 9 p.m., a female fan complained to a young man about repeatedly using the f-word. The young man refused to mind his vocabulary, and this flared in to a volley of insults between the two and the female spectator slapped the young man across the face.

A few moments later, the woman’s father also approached the misbehaving young guy and tried to strangle him. As a result the father of the woman was pushed down 3 rows of seats. The woman again ran up to him and also got pushed by the young male spectator. At that moment the other spectators present jumped in to break them apart. Finally the security guards, although late, arrived to take away the three spectators involved.

Apparently it is a USTA policy a spectator who gets expelled from a match gets an automatic ban for 2 years. And can be arrested if they show up again during the ban period.

Although the trio was taken away from the stadium in handcuffs, they have not been identified by name or charged with any crime. But a ban has been imposed on them preventing them from attending any match till September 2012.

The game between Djokovic and Petzschner was briefly halted due to the distraction and resumed after the brawlers had been taken away.

“It’s a hot night in New York. Things happen,” Chris Widmaier, a US Tennis Association spokesman was quoted.

Djokovic joked, “I hoped there was no Serbian up there.” He also added, “I hope the fans enjoyed the match and not the fight.”

Djokovic went on to win the game and defeat Petzschner 7-5, 6-3, 7-6 (8-6). Djokovic has progressed to the third round where he’ll be facing James Blake.