Novak Djokovic came through his first round match at the Australian Open amid a raucous atmosphere.

Novak Djokovic was heckled during his opening match at the Australian Open. (Image: Getty)

Fans of world No.1 Novak Djokovic are demanding that Australian Open organisers permanently ban a spectator who made an ugly gesture at the Serbian star during his first round. Djokovic got his expected win over unseeded 18-year-old Dino Prizmic, but was made to fight far harder than expected before eventually prevailing in four sets.

Things got raucous in the Rod Laver Arena after the young Croatian levelled the match in a second-set tie-break. And amid a cauldron of noise, one male crowd member was seen aggressively gesturing at the 36-year-old, putting a fist up with his other arm placed into the crease of the elbow.

The sign has a territorial meaning in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia, where it is known as bosanski grb, which translates to a ‘Bosnian coat of arms’. And it left many of Djokovic’s Serbian compatriots incensed, with many branding it “offensive” behaviour.

The footage was posted online by @Anto_Stock, with the caption: “Insane level of hatred. Is this a tennis fan @AustralianOpen?” And it prompted plenty of reaction, with @ruidpinheiro writing: “Do the right thing and ban this individual from ever setting foot on your premises again.”

Insane level of hatred.
Is this a tennis fan @AustralianOpen ? #NovakDjokovic #NoleFam #prizmic #AO24 pic.twitter.com/YoREaFhS16

— Terre Battue (@Anto_Stock)

January 14, 2024

Dino Prizmic pushed Djokovic all the way. (Image: Getty)

@Delaney4Tennis ranted: “Wow this guy needs serious amount of therapy to behave this way. Cheer for who you want to cheer for, but this is incredibly cringe.” @Lazar added: “Absolutely disgusting and low life behaviour.”

During the tie-break, Djokovic reacted angrily after a noise was heard in the crowd before he served. Clearly perturbed [double space] at a pivotal moment in the match, the top seed screamed “Shut the f*** up” in response.

The 24-time Grand Slam champion has a fractious relationship with the public Down Under, since the explosive visa controversy that scuppered his participation in the tournament two years ago. Following a legal battle, he was deported out of the country on the eve of the event over his refusal to be vaccinated against Covid-19 – having been found to have submitted false information on his immigration forms.

The behaviour of the crowds at Albert Park has already been the subject of much debate. Prior to the tournament, two-time finalist Pat Cash courted controversy by alleging that organisers had allowed fan antics to go too far in the stands.

But his comments were savaged by compatriot Nick Kyrgios. He argued that Cash was out of the touch with the modern game, and fans needed to be given licence to enjoy themselves at Grand Slam tournaments.