Footage captures security intervening as fan screams volley of abuse at ex-player during US Open
Ugly scenes marred a US Open qualifier on Wednesday when a fan aggressively confronted former tennis player Viktor Troicki.
The former world no.12 is now retired, but was coaching fellow Serbian Hamad Medjedovic during his contest with Croatia's Borna Gojo.
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The contest was level at one set each during the first round of US Open qualifying when a supporter began verbally abusing Troicki from the row of seats behind him, leading security and other fans to intervene.
It is thought Troicki, who retired in 2021, asked the man to tone down his vocal support for Gojo.
In footage uploaded to X by Andrew Jerell Jones, the volatile supporter could be heard calling the 37-year-old coach 'a f****** cry baby' and screaming 'this is New York, not Serbia'.
Onlookers tried to tell the supporter who he was arguing with, while another could be heard in the background declaring they were calling 911, which is the number for the emergency services in the US.
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The fan confronting Troicki then went on with his tirade of abuse, saying: “He can’t take someone cheering against his f****** player.
"It’s the US Open. There’s 12 million f****** people in this city. We all are f****** loud. F****** clown.”
Someone who appeared to be with the abusive fan tried to pull him away, however, he was then told to 'f*** off' as he took another step towards Troicki.
However, security on the scene remained between the two men to ensure that matters didn't escalate further.
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Medjedovic lost to Gojo 5-7 7(7)-6 4-6, with the Croatian now preparing to do battle with Andrian Andreev in the second round on Thursday.
The US Open at Flushing Medaows begins on Monday August 28 where Wimbledon champion Carlos Alcaraz aims to defend his crown.
He was beaten by rival Novak Djokovic in the Cincinnati Masters - the precursor to the final grand slam of the season.
Meanwhile, Iga Swiatek defends her women's singles title and Andy Murray, 36, will have another crack at a grand slam.
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