The Australian Open has witnessed a dramatic reversal of fortune for one of its most vocal supporters, as the tennis super fan who captured global attention for his enthusiastic backing of British star Emma Raducanu found himself ejected from the tournament by police on Friday evening.
From Viral Sensation to Police Escort
James Bray, a Sydneysider who became an internet sensation earlier in the tournament, experienced a complete backflip in his Australian Open journey when Victorian Police directed him to leave Rod Laver Arena during Alex de Minaur's third-round match against American Frances Tiafoe.
The fan, who had been dubbed 'Raddo' by Raducanu herself after his passionate support during her 6-4 6-1 victory over Thailand's Mananchaya Sawangkaew, found himself on the wrong side of tournament officials who deemed his cheering too rowdy and disruptive.
Raducanu's Personal Invitation
Just days earlier, Bray had been the toast of the tournament when Emma Raducanu personally acknowledged him during her on-court interview. The 2021 US Open champion had laughed and told him: 'You're invited for every match, just let me know, let my agent know, and you're here!'
Raducanu had even adopted the nickname 'Raddo' that Bray had been shouting throughout her match, creating one of the tournament's most heartwarming moments that quickly went viral across social media platforms.
The Dramatic Ejection
However, Bray's fortunes changed dramatically during de Minaur's Friday night match. Tournament staff approached him and, after what they described as warnings, called in Victorian Police to remove him from the arena.
Bray documented the entire incident on his Instagram Story, posting videos that showed:
- Police officers issuing him with a directive to leave the premises for 24 hours
- A $700 fine being imposed for his behaviour
- His escorted departure from Rod Laver Arena by multiple officers
In one video, Bray could be heard saying: 'So we've got the police here, unfortunately I'm being kicked out of the Australian Open because I've been too rowdy.'
Fan's Defence of His Behaviour
Speaking to his Instagram followers after the ejection, Bray maintained his innocence, stating: 'I feel like everything was going well. I was cheering him, not disrespectful, I wasn't cheering in between double faults or in between serves or nothing like that.'
He added: 'I was just cheering on him like I would generally cheer on any Australian on any court. For some reason security came up to me and said: sorry mate, you've been warned, you need to leave.'
The fan expressed his confusion about the situation, noting that 'everyone around me was cheering' and that he hadn't been disrespectful to either player during the competitive match.
Financial and Emotional Cost
Bray revealed the personal cost of his ejection, telling followers: 'Bit of a weird feeling, paid $700 for a ticket to the 'Demon' [de Minaur].' This was in addition to the $700 fine imposed by authorities, making his night at the tennis an unexpectedly expensive experience.
Despite the ejection, Bray maintained his sense of humour throughout the ordeal, posting at one point: 'This is hilarious, I've got the police force here taking me out. I'm a big fan, no dramas. But the cops are here. It's quite fun, quite fun.'
Official Responses Sought
The incident has raised questions about fan behaviour protocols at major sporting events, with media outlets including Daily Mail contacting both Tennis Australia and Victoria Police for official statements regarding Bray's ejection and the circumstances surrounding it.
The dramatic turn of events serves as a stark contrast to the previous days when Bray's enthusiastic support had been celebrated by players and fans alike, highlighting the fine line between passionate fandom and behaviour deemed unacceptable by tournament officials.
