It was the unsavoury end to an Australian Open tournament with a difference: Boos ringing out during the post-match presentation following Novak Djokovic’s win.
A significant section of the Rod Laver Arena crowd booed at mentions of the Victorian Government and COVID-19 vaccines, with Tennis Australia president Jayne Hrdlicka in the firing line during her speech.
And for one popular footy satirist, it marked a golden chance to tie in a dig at WA footy fans.
“Feel for the people upset about the booing at the tennis,” comedian Titus O’Reilly wrote on Twitter.
“Wait until they see a game at Optus Stadium.”
West Coast and Fremantle supporters have earned a reputation at times across the past two decades for some booing incidents, including the Adam Goodes controversy and the day Chris Judd was drowned out while accepting his Glendinning Medal in a losing derby side.
If you’d like to view this content, please adjust your .
To find out more about how we use cookies, please see our Cookie Guide.
It came as Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack savaged Australian Open fans for unleashing their chorus of boos.
“I think it was rather disgusting behaviour,” Mr McCormack.
“I don’t like booing at any event, and certainly any sporting event.”
Ms Hrdlicka was booed again after thanking the Victorian government.
She had to pause repeatedly to let the crowd settle down.
“Well that’s not Australian. I’m sorry, that is just un-Australian,” Mr McCormack said.
“This vaccine is going to get our country back to some sort of pre-COVID normality.”