Racial tension again casts shadow on Australian Open

Claims of racial tension and unruly behaviour at the Australian Tennis Open have once again taken the gloss off one of the game's most anticipated tournaments, claim Australian news media.

Authorities deny Australian Open security failed after a group of Croatian fans taunted tennis fans outside the grounds and a second group disrupted play yesterday as Croatian Ivo Karlovic battled against Czech Radek Stephanek.

Witnesses say around sixty Croatian supporters carried flares, intimidated visitors and taunted security guards, making offensive and threatening gestures as the walked en massed towards the Park.

Photographer Craig Borrow, from the Herald Sun, was spat on and hit in the head as he attempted to photograph the group, and one flare was let off outside Melbourne Park police said.

Other Croatian supporters shunned the bad behaviour, saying the few tarnished the name of all Croatian fans reports News.com.au.

"It is just a few older fans who make trouble and the general public thinks it is all of us," said one Australian-born Croatian who declined to be identified.

Despite tightened security, at least one of the group was ejected from the Park after managing to enter and smuggle in a flare.

Although barred from entering, some members of the group dodged security by running up the stairs, reports the Herald Sun.

In the second incident, less than three hours later, a group of eleven people were ejected from court six where Stephanek and Karlovic were playing.

The group were shouting at the players, standing on the seats and "were causing problems for the other spectators who were there to watch the game," Police superintendent Jock Menzel said.

The Australian Open has been marred in recent years by fights between racial groups, including on the opening day in 2007 when Serbian and Croatian fans attacked each other with flagpoles, bottles and boots.

Security measures have been boosted and police are now able to issue on-the-spot AU$234 (NZ293) fine for "anti-social" says 7 News.

- NZ HERALD STAFF