A tennis enthusiast who gained online fame for supporting Emma Raducanu has been ejected from the Australian Open for disruptive behavior. James Bray, known for his vocal support of the British tennis star, was asked to leave after being deemed ‘too rowdy’ during a match.
During Raducanu’s recent victory, Bray, donning an ‘Australia’ tank top, affectionately referred to her as ‘Raddo.’ In response, Raducanu acknowledged his support, giving him a special mention and inviting him to attend all her matches.
Despite the initial positive interaction, Bray’s enthusiasm took a turn for the worse during a match between Alex de Minaur and Frances Tiafoe at the Rod Laver Arena. His loud cheering led to his removal from the premises, accompanied by a 24-hour ban and a $700 fine, as documented on his Instagram story.
Expressing his frustration, Bray sarcastically remarked on being ejected for his fervent support, claiming he was merely cheering like any other tennis fan. Despite the incident, he found the experience somewhat amusing as he was escorted out by police officers.
Tennis Australia confirmed that Bray had received warnings before his expulsion due to disruptive behavior, which led to complaints from other spectators. Victoria Police also noted a total of 21 evictions, including Bray’s, for various behavioral issues but overall praised the crowd’s conduct at the tournament.
As Bray reflected on the incident post-removal, he expressed disappointment at being kicked out despite his genuine support for the event and the players involved.