The Australian Open tournament director has issued a warning to any spectators looking to target nine-time champion Novak Djokovic: behave or be kicked out.
The Serb is back at the Grand Slam, which starts next week, a year after his deportation from Australia due to his opposition to the Covid-19 vaccine.
His removal on the eve of the tournament divided opinion in a city that endured some of the longest lockdowns in the world at the height of the pandemic.
And while Djokovic's return to action in Adelaide last week, a tournament he won, was well received, it remains to be seen whether he will be afforded the same welcome in Melbourne.
Australian Open tournament director Craig Tiley told The Herald Sun newspaper that any fans looking to taunt Djokovic would not be tolerated.
"If they disrupt the enjoyment of anyone else – boom, they are out," he said.
"We don't want them on site. They can stay away or we will kick them out."
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Serbia's Novak Djokovic, centre, poses for a selfie with a fan after his doubles match at the Adelaide International Tennis tournament in Adelaide, Australia, Monday, January 2, 2023. AP Photo -
Novak Djokovic poses for a selfie with a fan after his first round doubles match with Canada's Vasek Pospisil at the ATP Adelaide International. AFP -
Serbia's Novak Djokovic with fans after losing his first round doubles match with Canada's Vasek Pospisil against Bosnia's Tomislav Brkic and Ecuador's Gonzalo Escobar. Reuters -
Novak Djokovic of Serbia and Vasek Pospisil of Canada compete against against Tomislav Brkic of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Gonzalo Escobar of Ecuador. Getty Images -
Novak Djokovic in action during his first round doubles match with Canada's Vasek Pospisil against Bosnia's Tomislav Brkic and Ecuador's Gonzalo Escobar. Reuters -
A fan watches through a fence the first round doubles match between Serbia's Novak Djokovic and Canada's Vasek Pospisil against Bosnia's Tomislav Brkic and Ecuador's Gonzalo Escobar. Reuters -
Novak Djokovic of Serbia in action. EPA -
Novak Djokovic of Serbia signs autographs for fans. EPA -
Fans watch Serbia's Novak Djokovic in action during his first round doubles match with Canada's Vasek Pospisil against Bosnia's Tomislav Brkic and Ecuador's Gonzalo Escobar. Reuters -
Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic hits a return during his first round doubles match with Canadian Vasek Pospisil. AFP -
Novak Djokovic hits a return. AFP -
Novak Djokovic reacts to winning a point. AFP -
Novak Djokovic and Vasek Pospisil talk tactics. AFP -
Novak Djokovic plays a return shot during his doubles match against Bosnia's Tomislav Brkic and Ecuador's Gonzalo Escobar at the Adelaide International Tennis tournament. AP Photo -
Novak Djokovic poses for a selfie with a young fan. AP Photo -
Fans of Novak Djokovic hold a sign during the doubles match at the Adelaide International Tennis tournament. AP Photo -
Serbia's Novak Djokovic reacts during his doubles match against Tomislav Brkic of Bosnia and Ecuador's Gonzalo Escobar. AP Photo -
Canada's Vasek Pospisil and Serbia's Novak Djokovic talk tactics. AP Photo -
Novak Djokovic plays a return shot. AP Photo -
Serbia's Novak Djokovic reacts with Canada's Vasek Pospisil. AP Photo
Tiley encouraged fans to "be respectful".
"The one thing that I always liked about Melbourne is there is a great appreciation of excellence and for sport, I think more than anywhere in Australia," he said.
"I have an expectation that people will appreciate that."
Djokovic, one of the most successful men's players of all time, said in Adelaide that the support he received there was "something that I don't think I've experienced too many times in my life".
"It definitely felt like playing at home," he added.
The 35-year-old is bidding to win a record-extending 10th Australian Open title that will take him level with his great rival Rafael Nadal on 22 Grand Slams.
This year's tournament runs from January 16-29.
