During the Miami Open, two spectators in VIP seats were ejected after an altercation with Grigor Dimitrov.
The incident occurred during the semi-final match on Friday, where the popular Bulgarian player faced Novak Djokovic.
The match was paused early on when Dimitrov addressed heckling from the crowd.
Djokovic was preparing to serve at 1-1 in the first set when Dimitrov became distracted by disturbances from the audience at Hard Rock Stadium.
The world No. 15 approached the side of the court and was seen speaking emphatically to a spectator who had reportedly shouted at him.
Dimitrov was visibly upset by the behavior and protested before taking a moment to compose himself.
The umpire intervened promptly. Greg Allensworth descended from his chair and contacted Gerry Armstrong via radio to request security assistance.
He stated, “Gerry, Gerry, I need someone removed from the stands now.”
Allensworth assured Dimitrov that security was en route to handle the heckler during the changeover after Djokovic`s service game.
Play resumed with Djokovic holding serve, and as the players took their seats, two individuals were escorted out.
Tennis fans booed the ejected pair, then cheered as they were led out of the stands.
A social media user captured the initial confrontation with Dimitrov and the subsequent removal of the spectators.
The user commented, “Guy in the 45-47 hat starting trouble talking s*** to this sweet angel @grigordimitrov.”
They later added, “Wow. This felt really good. 10/10 recommend.”
Sky Sports commentator Colin Fleming also voiced his disapproval, saying during the live broadcast: “Why would you come to this match, sit in the front row, and heckle someone?
“I just don`t understand that mentality. There’s no place for it. We are seeing it more and more in tennis and all sports.”
Dimitrov ultimately lost the match 6-2, 6-3 to Djokovic, who advanced to the final against Jakub Mensik.
Besides the heckling incident, Dimitrov`s Miami Open journey included another notable fan interaction. He participated in a social media initiative where he rode a cable car over the stadium with two fans.
During this experience, the fans jokingly pressed Dimitrov to name a player on tour he would marry. When he demurred, he playfully turned the tables, asking them to suggest a dinner companion.
When one fan mentioned Maria Sharapova as her favorite player, Dimitrov chuckled and revealed, “She was my ex-girlfriend.”
The fan responded with surprise and apology, “Actually? Sorry to bring that up,” to which Dimitrov laughed.
