Aussie tennis star Alex de Minaur confronts spectator at Italian Open as umpire forced to step in
Aussie tennis star Alex de Minuar faced more than just his opponent at the Italian Open, as a disruptive fan tested his focus during a heated encounter with local wildcard Luca Nardi.
In the day's late match on Grand Stand Arena, the raucous home crowd began to get on de Minaur's back before he finally managed to subdue a lively challenge from their favourite, world No.95 Nardi, 6-4 7-5.
But 'Demon' only got the job done after a fan in the front row, who'd evidently been bothering him throughout the contest, tried to disrupt his concentration at 4-4 in the second set, prompting de Minaur to point out the culprit to the chair umpire.
The Australian No.1 went over to remonstrate with the spectator and the umpire followed him over, warning the fan that security would deal with him if there were any more interruptions.
'So who was it? Who was it? Who went like that?' de Minaur said.
The umpire seemed to know which fan was responsible.
'I've seen you that you've done it,' he said.
'You listen to me, if you do it one more time, you will leave the stadium. Is that clear?'
Commentators were confused as to what was happening.
'No idea what was said but De Minaur is not continuing until the man or woman in question is no longer watching,' said Adam Fielder.
After the Australian closed out the match he spoke about the 'frustrating' match.
'I did what I needed to do today. It wasn't easy by any means, it was a tough match,' he said.
'The tennis, I don't think was great from both sides, but sometimes you've got to play with the cards you're dealt and that was today.
'I did my best to stay focused and stay as strong as I could mentally, that was what helped me out today.
'To be honest, I think throughout the whole match, I had a lot of chances that I didn't take. I think I did well to not lose my head! Because it would've been quite easy to get frustrated after having so many chances to break and not being able to get it over the line.'
Meanwhile, Jannik Sinner has hailed his winning return to action as 'an incredible moment' after his adoring fans in Rome cheered him to victory over Mariano Navone at the Italian Open following the end of his three-month doping ban.
World No.1 Sinner, playing his first match since winning the Australian Open in January, took no time to get back into the winning groove, defeating Argentine Navone 6-3 6-4.
Playing in front of a cheering 10,500 crowd in his home tournament, the 23-year-old, who had been given a bye in the opening round, looked almost as if he'd never been away as he earned victory in one hour and 38 minutes.
'It's an amazing feeling. I've waited quite long for this moment. I'm very happy to be back,' Sinner said afterwards.
'It was an incredible moment for me, going again on court.
'I tried to prepare myself in the best way and control my mental thing in the best way, which I did, so I am very happy about that.'
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