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'It's un-Australian': Deputy PM's fury over 'disgusting' tennis moment

Riley Morgan
·Sports Reporter
·3-min read
Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack (pictured left) during a press conference and Tennis Australia Chair Jayne Hrdlicka (pictured right) in her post-match speech at the Australian Open.
Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack (pictured left) let rip at the fans who booed Tennis Australia Chair Jayne Hrdlicka (pictured right) when she mentioned the vaccine rollout in her post-match speech at the Australian Open. (Getty Images)

Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack has let rip at the crowd members for booing the chair of Tennis Australia (TA) when she mentioned the vaccine rollout after Novak Djokovic's Australian Open final victory.

Fans were left stunned following Djokovic's masterclass against Daniil Medvedev when TA chair Jayne Hrdlicka was loudly booed after mentioning the rollout of vaccines in her post-match speech.

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Hrdlicka was addressing the crowd about the hardships and struggles that Australians have faced during the coronavirus pandemic.

“It's been a time of deep loss and extraordinary sacrifice for everyone," she said.

"With vaccinations on the way, rolling out in many countries around the world it's now a time for optimism and hope for the future."

But the sentiment was lost for some as they unleashed a chorus of boos.

Now, Deputy Prime Minister McCormack has unleashed on the crowd members who booed Hrdlicka as "un-Australian".

"I think it was rather disgusting behaviour," he told reporters on Monday.

"I don't like booing at any event, and certainly any sporting event."

The booing didn't stop with the vaccine mention.

CEO of Virgin Australia Jayne Hrdlicka presents Novak Djokovic with the Norman Brookes Challenge Cup following his Men’s Singles Final match against Daniil Medvedev of the 2021 Australian Open.
CEO of Virgin Australia Jayne Hrdlicka presents Novak Djokovic with the Norman Brookes Challenge Cup following his Men’s Singles Final match against Daniil Medvedev of the 2021 Australian Open. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images) (Cameron Spencer via Getty Images)

Jeers also echoed around the stadium when Hrdlicka thanked the Victorian Government for helping put on the event.

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."

The deputy prime minister's view of booing at sporting events is different to that of Prime Minister Scott Morrison.

Morrison described booing the prime minister at sporting events as a "great tradition" after tennis crowds jeered him in 2019.

The prime minister joked the crowd was probably protesting a line call when an image of him on the big screen at Rod Laver Arena drew verbal volleys.

Social media shocked at Aus Open booing drama

Many on social media slammed the "disgraceful" moment, which was broadcasted to the world.

with AAP

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