'Continued to disrupt': Viral Australian superfan booted from Alex de Minaur match for 'being too rowdy'
Updated . First published at
MELBOURNE: Australian tennis superfan James Bray says he "wants some answers" after being kicked out of Melbourne Park for being too rowdy on Friday night.
Bray shared video on Instagram of him interacting with police and security guards while being escorted out of Rod Laver Arena during Alex de Minaur's straight sets win over Frances Tiafoe.
Bray did not resist as police calmly informed him he had been given a "direction to leave the Australian Open for 24 hours."
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James Bray was kicked out of the Australian Open. Instagram
"Unfortunately I've been kicked out of the Australian Open because I've been too rowdy," said Bray, who added that he had paid $700 for his ticket.
"I was cheering him (de Minaur), not disrespectful at all, I wasn't cheering in between double faults or in between serves.
"I was just cheering him on like I would any Australian on any court and for some reason security came up to me and said 'sorry mate, you've been warned, you need to leave.'
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James Bray was kicked out of Rod Laver Arena. Instagram
"It was a bit of a weird one, I feel like I wasn't doing anything bad, everyone around me was cheering. If I was doing that same thing at John Cain Arena, no one would have battered (sic) an eyelid.
"The people next to me were loving it, Demon was loving it. I feel like Tiafoe's a legend, he loves it too. So I don't know what the issue was.
"I'll be reaching out, I want some answers. I was just doing what everyone else does, having fun, cheering on the boys."
James Bray, Emma Raducanu superfan Supplied
In a statement provided to Wide World of Sports, Tennis Australia rejected Bray's assertion that the crowd were all loving his work.
"Security received a number of complaints from fans in Rod Laver Arena last night relating to the disruptive behaviour of an individual in the crowd," TA said.
"Despite multiple warnings from staff, he refused to modify his behaviour and continued to disrupt those around him. Police were called to assist security speaking with the patron who disregarded advice to minimise his disruptive behaviour.
"He was directed to leave the precinct and not return for 24 hours. He has not been banned from the event."
Bray is also a huge fan of Emma Raducanu and told Nine's April Glover this week that the British star's agent had given him tickets to the rest of her matches in Melbourne.
"I shamelessly emailed her agent, her agent emailed me back and said, 'Yeah, we'd love you to come to the next match', so they've sent me a couple of free tickets, which is honestly very generous," he said.
"I didn't expect anything, of course. She's very charismatic, a great tennis player, a great athlete and very generous."