Croat, Serb fans ejected from Australian Open

MELBOURNE, Jan 15 (Reuters) About 150 tennis fans were ejected from the Australian Open today after Croatian and Serbian fans became rowdy, police said.

Police said ''unfamily like behaviour'' by Croatian and Serbian fans in the public garden area of the venue prompted police to take a ''proactive stance'' and eject the fans.

There was no fighting or arrests.

''They were mostly Serbians ejected as they were upsetting the Croatians,'' said Victoria state police spokeswoman Katherine Jess. ''Police are now meeting with Tennis Australia officials to work out the next move.'' One witness, who did not give his name, said the two groups clashed just outside the main tennis arena at Melbourne Park.

''The Serbs were chanting against the Croatians, the Croatians were chanting against the Serbs and it all got out of hand, mate,'' he told Australian radio.

REUTERS PDS HT1040