Tennis fans show support for Israelis
ADAM KAMIEN
TENNIS fans have shown their support for Israeli players competing at the Australian Open at Melbourne Park.
Many Jewish fans wore Israeli T-shirts and caps, chanted in Hebrew for their hero and waved the Israeli flag in support.
Israeli tennis player Dudi Sela thanked the parochial crowd after his first-round exit on January 19, saying it is among the most supportive in world tennis.
Sela lost to Ukrainian qualifier Ivan Sergeyev in four sets in front of a packed court-19 crowd.
“It’s very special,” Sela said of the crowd support.
“The US Open and [the Australian Open] is where we get the most support. It’s bad for the supporters that I lost first round and they won’t get to see me again.”
Sela said he appreciated having 2008 Australian Open doubles winners Andy Ram and Yoni Erlich as well as Israeli ambassador Yuval Rotem watching on from the stands.
