The tennis super fan who became a viral sensation for his support of Brit Emma Raducanu has experienced a complete backflip of fortunes after police ejected him from the Australian Open on Friday.
The fan, later identified as Sydneysider James Bray, dubbed the 2021 US Open champion ‘Raddo’ throughout her 6-4 6-1 win over Thailand’s Mananchaya Sawangkaew while wearing a green and gold singlet emblazoned with ‘Australia’.
After match point, Raducanu acknowledged him during her on-court interview, saying: ‘Thank you to the support, I think it was incredible on both sides, and a particular shout-out to ‘Raddo’ apparently is my new nickname.’
Laughing, she added: ‘You’re invited for every match, just let me know, let my agent know, and you’re here!’
Raducanu continued joking with the crowd as Bray yelled back more encouragement.
The Brit, who had been managing a foot injury in the lead-up to the Australian Open, later put out a public call to track down her vocal supporter.
Tennis super fan Jack Bray became an internet sensation for his support of Brit star Emma Raducanu at the Australian Open
He was back in the saddle again for Alex de Minaur’s third round match against Frances Tiafoe on Friday night
Things went sour for the Sydneysider, though, as Victorian Police directed him to leave the arena
Bray documented the whole thing and posted pics and videos to his Instagram Story overnight
Bray was once again in the thick of things at Rod Laver Arena on Friday night, this time to cheer on local hope Alex de Minaur in his match against American Frances Tiafoe.
However this around, Australian Open staff deemed his support too ‘rowdy’ and he was asked to leave by police.
Bray posted a series of videos to his Instagram Story documenting police issuing him a directive to move on order for 24 hours, along with a $700 fine.
‘So we’ve got the police here, unfortunately I’m being kicked out of the Australian Open because I’ve been too rowdy,’ he said.
A police officer then notifies him that he is being issued a directive to leave for 24 hours.
‘Kicked out of the Australian Open because I am a fan,’ Bray continued.
‘Thank you very much. I appreciate being kicked out of the Australian Open for being an Australian Open fan, being a tennis fan.’
Bray continued to film outside the venue as he was being escorted out by police.
Bray claimed he did nothing wrong and was just supporting the Aussie tennis star playing at Rod Laver Arena
Bray was fined $700 and ordered to stay away from the Australian Open for 24 hours after his eviction
‘This is hilarious, I’ve got the police force here taking me out,’ he posted.
‘I feel like this guy [an Australian Open security guard] doesn’t want to do it, and that’s fine.
‘The police force is taking me out of the Australian Open.
‘I’m a big fan, no dramas. But the cops are here. It’s quite fun, quite fun.’
Once police had successfully removed him from Rod Laver Arena, Bray took the time to create a third video post.
‘Bit of a weird feeling, paid $700 for a ticket to the ‘Demon’ [de Minaur],’ he said.
‘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.
‘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’.
‘It was a bit of a weird one. I feel like I wasn’t doing anything bad. Everyone around me was cheering.
‘I wasn’t being disrespectful, Tiafoe was playing well, Demon was playing well.
‘Dunno, got kicked out. Security literally f***ing strong-armed me.’
Daily Mail has contacted Tennis Australia and Victoria Police.
