Australian Open news: Matteo Berrettini hits back at abusive fan after epic win

Matteo Berrettini became the first Italian man to reach the semi-finals of the Australian Open after an epic five-set win over Gael Monfils, but he was not impressed with an abusive fan interrupting him as he gave his post-match interview.
Monfils went into the match as the only man yet to drop a set but Berrettini was the better on the big points in the opening two sets, but the Frenchman levelled matters as the clock ticked past midnight.
Berrettini was also pushed to five sets by Carlos Alcaraz in round three and he proved his competitive mettle again by holding firm for a 6-4 6-4 3-6 3-6 6-2 victory and now he will take on Rafael Nadal in the last four.
Yet it was during his post-match interview that Berrettini was stopped in his tracks as one disgruntled fan screamed abuse in his direction, with the Italian stopping the interview and suggesting the man in question needed to “show some respect”.
Umpire James Keothavong also had to appeal to some unruly fans in the crowd several times to stop screaming out during points, with one fan confronted on several occasions on stewards.
“Some of them are not really tennis fans I think,” said Berrettini. “It’s fine. I win, I’m happy.”
Berrettini appeared to be an outsider to win the match heading into the fifth set, but he found a way to win and set up a meeting with Nadal.
“It feels unbelievable. I’m really happy for myself,” he added. “It was a great fight against Gael. I thought I had him in the third and then I found myself in the fifth.”
Berrettini will now play Nadal in the semi-final, after the 20-time Grand Slam champion admitted he was lucky to find a way to win his five-set epic against Denis Shapovalov.
https://twitter.com/wwos/status/1485974309755568134?s=20
The sixth seed grinned with joy and relief while Shapovalov, who missed a chance to break at the start of the decider, slammed his racket angrily to the court.
Nadal said: “It was a little bit of a miracle. I was destroyed, honestly, physically. But my serve worked well and, for me, every game that I was winning with my serve was a victory.
“I started to feel bad at the end of the second. It was very warm out there today and the conditions were hard.
“Of course, in the beginning of the fifth set I was very worried. More than worried, I thought it was going to be super difficult to win that match. But here I am.
“Being in semi-finals means a lot to me, to have a victory against a great player after all the things that I went through.”
Latest
-
ATP Tour
Which ATP star was the king of the comeback in 2023?
Alexander Zverev looks set to be named the comeback player of the 2023 season.
-
Tennis Features
The 5 records Novak Djokovic could break in 2024
Novak Djokovic is an unstoppable juggernaut when it comes to breaking records.
-
Australian Open
Trio of former World No 1s go straight into Australian Open draw with Special Rankings and wildcard
Naomi Osaka, Angelique Kerber and Caroline Wozniacki have been handed main draw entries.
-
Tennis News
Brisbane International sports ‘best-ever’ field with nine Grand Slam winners headed to Queensland in January
The Brisbane International in 2024 will include nine Grand Slam champions.
-
Tennis News
Maria Sharapova issues stark social media warning
Maria Sharapova recently discussed the stress imposed on today’s society by social media.
-
Tennis News
Ben Shelton thrives on personal attention from Roger Federer’s On Sports
Who backs rising star Ben Shelton?
-
WTA Tour
Historic clay-swing tournament already drawing big names with Jessica Pegula and Ons Jabeur entered
Ons Jabeur and Jessica Pegula have signed up for the Charleston Open.
-
WTA Tour
Iga Swiatek’s 2024 tennis schedule: Where will the world No 1 begin her new season?
Which tournaments are likely to feature on Iga Swiatek’s 2024 tennis schedule?
-
Tennis News
Novak Djokovic takes protégé Hamad Medjedovic under his wing again in another act of kindness
Hamad Medjedovic to join Novak Djokovic in Dubai.