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BBC Sport Online: In Depth: US Open Tennis


Thursday, 31 August, 2000, 03:44 GMT 04:44 UK

Dokic dad banned again



Dokic
Jelena Dokic's father Damir has been banned from Flushing Meadows after a row over the price of salmon in the player's lounge.

Dokic, who was involved in a similar incident at Wimbledon, caused a scene and was accused of "abusive behaviour."


Look America, look what happens in your country
Damir Dokic

Tournament director Jay Snyder said: "He was removed from the grounds and will not be allowed back in. The WTA fully supports the decision."

When he tried to re-enter the complex that houses the players' locker room, lounge and dining room with his daughter, Dokic was turned away by head of tournament security Pete Pistole, who guided him through the parking lot.

Dokic, holding his arms outstretched to show he was not returning the physical force Pistole was applying, shouted: "Look America, look what happens in your country," according to one eye-witness.

Later, screaming profanities at Pistole and other officials as his tearful 17-year-old daughter looked on, Dokic was led to a policeman who told him to leave the premises or face arrest.

Driven away

Officials said Dokic, who finally got into a courtesy car with his daughter and was driven away, would not be allowed back on the National Tennis Centre grounds.

A native of Yugoslavia, Dokic is three-quarters of the way to a Grand Slam of boorish behaviour after previous incidents at Wimbledon and the Australian Open.

At the 2000 Australian Open, he was accused of assaulting a cameraman. At Wimbledon two months ago, he was escorted off the grounds after a drunken rage in which he smashed a broadcaster's cell phone to the ground.

In June 1999, he was cited for drunk and disorderly conduct for lying down in the middle of the road after being thrown out of a tournament in Birmingham, England, for being verbally abusive at the matches. Related to this story:
Hingis too strong for Brandi (31 Aug 00 | US Open Tennis)


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