A fight breaks out between fans during a match between Novak Djokovic, of Serbia, and Philipp Petzschner, of Germany, at the U.S. Open tennis tournament in New York, Thursday, Sept. 2, 2010. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
NEW YORK (AP) — At the U.S. Open, the action went beyond the tennis court.
A brawl between fans in the stands Thursday night briefly stopped a match between Novak Djokovic and Philipp Petzschner.
Witnesses say the fisticuffs started when a female fan told a young man he should stop using the F-word. He challenged her to hit him if she had a problem with his language, and she slapped him in the face. He slapped her back, and another man joined the fray.
Security guards quickly escorted the three out of the stadium.
Third-seeded Djokovic and Petzschner stopped playing and looked up into the stands while New York police handcuffed the fans and led them out. Nobody was hurt. It was the kind of scene more common at a baseball or football game than a tennis match.
U.S. Tennis Association spokesman Chris Widmaier said: “It was a hot night in New York. Things happen.”
WATCH:
Djokovic eventually took the match, reaching the third round at the U.S. Open with a 7-5, 6-3, 7-6 (6) victory over 52nd-ranked Petzschner of Germany.
Djokovic joked afterward that he hoped the fight didn’t involve anyone from his native Serbia.
The No. 3-seeded Djokovic has made it at least this far all six times he’s played at Flushing Meadows. He lost in the final in 2007, then the semifinals in 2008 and 2009 – each time to Roger Federer. They could meet in this year’s semifinals.
Djokovic, the 2008 Australian Open champion, next plays wild-card entry James Blake of the United States.
Petzschner has lost in the second round in all three of his trips to the U.S. Open.
Copyright 2010 The Associated Press.
24 Comments
Djokovic is best player in world.I love him
Miranda
May 18, 2011 at 1:30 pm
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For the people that feel it necessary to bash hockey let me ask you one question. There have been bench clearing brawls in Baseball, Basketball and Football as well as Hockey so why do you have to insult Hockey fans. REAL Hockey fans are the most intelligent of their chosen sport then any other fan. It makes me come to the conclusion that the people that trash the sport are just jealous because they can’t PLAY the sport.
September 3, 2010 at 4:51 pm
I once went to the fights and a hockey game broke out.
September 3, 2010 at 3:39 pm
This was completley the older couple’s fault. They asked the guy to shut up..he didn’t so be it..they are not his parents..he can do and say whatever he wants..who are they to be judge, jury and executioner..they should have minded their own business..she slapped him..he didn’t slap her back..then the old guy attacks him…clearly, the younger guy was trying to sit down a few times but the older couple kept badgering him..all in all..he didn’t attack them..they attacked him…they should be ashamed…If they thought his language was disrespectful then what about their actions pausing the match…Rude through and through..once again..people thinking they have the right over someone else! Get a life and mind your own business
September 3, 2010 at 2:32 pm
Just because you use improper language, doesn’t give someone the right to use physical violence. There is still a thing called freedom of speech. Next time, call security and complain. Question, why didn’t Mr. Video guy go over and help? Oh, because he talks a good game but doesn’t want to get involved. That being said, the parents of the little jerk should be ashamed of themselves.
September 3, 2010 at 1:55 pm
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IDIOTS GONE WILD…WHO CARES?
September 3, 2010 at 1:18 pm
Jersey Shore Dude vs Real Housewives of New Jersey.
September 3, 2010 at 1:15 pm
Unfortunately this is typical of society today where a foul-mouthed punk thinks he can say and do whatever he wants and doesn’t care who it bothers. We see it in our own community. No respect for older people. He probably acts this way at home and gets away with it. Great parenting he must have had. Good for that couple who had the guts to stand up and do something about that punk’s behavior. We need more of that.
September 3, 2010 at 1:14 pm
This punk was behaving like he owned the public space. Don’t trash talk in broadcast mode in public. It’s called respect. It’s called class. This little person had none of that. Great shot lady! And good for the older man too! Notice all the young laughing. Says lots about our disrespecting, brash culture.
September 3, 2010 at 1:00 pm
Yolanda I agree 100% with you. What kind of upbringing did this young guy have moving his hands and running his mouth like a punk to an older couple! He deserved to be bopped in the face for having a potty mouth at that event and he should have been bopped in the face when he was a kid. If his parents would have taught him decency this would have never happened. ROme (USA), get ready for the Dark Ages, because they are coming back. Young people don’t get it (like the cameraman)…really, honestly, the older couple were the violators of decency???!!!
September 3, 2010 at 12:51 pm
Fake! Just a publicity stunt for Housewives of New Jersey.
September 3, 2010 at 12:50 pm
How long does it take to get security personnel involved?!! Outrageous! The punk with the bad language should have been tazed and dragged out on his sorry ass immediately.
September 3, 2010 at 12:48 pm
Great point. Thanks. You are absolutely on point!
September 3, 2010 at 1:02 pm
You know, if stupid people didn’t get angry at certain sounds just because their parents or stupid society told them to, then less people would get insulted or in fights over swearing. Seriously if the F word wasn’t called the F word and just said the way it is and nobody had a problem with it, then that’d be one less stupid problem in life.
September 3, 2010 at 12:42 pm
Who cares, it is just a boring tennis match!!!!!
September 3, 2010 at 12:38 pm
Hockey fans have more class than that. Don’t be ignorant.
September 3, 2010 at 12:38 pm
Is that a beer in his hand? That’s one of the MAIN problems at European football matches. Adrenaline, alcohol and some punk with an unfulfilled life wants to show you just how important he is. I bet he talks to his mom like that as well. Ridiculous. They need to ban unruly ie…foul-mouthed, outlandish spectators from all sports.
September 3, 2010 at 12:37 pm
This is why people should mind their own business. I bet dollars to doughnuts the woman was asking for it.
September 3, 2010 at 12:36 pm
What she was asking for was a chance to enjoy the US open without having to listen to a foul mouthed thug.
September 3, 2010 at 12:59 pm
Gee, it makes you want to take the whole family along to a wholesome sport match. Who would have thunk it. Hockey fans migrating to tennis.
September 3, 2010 at 8:44 am
Wow must have taken you all morning to come up with that.
September 3, 2010 at 4:54 pm
I agree, Peter must not know how to skate
September 3, 2010 at 5:29 pm