September 05, (THEWILL) – A male spectator was ejected from the US Open on Monday night, after shouting a phrase from a Nazi-era German anthem during a fourth-round match.
The incident occurred as German player Alexander Zverev was serving against Italy’s Jannik Sinner on Arthur Ashe Stadium. Zverev approached chair umpire, James Keothavong, to report hearing the fan yell “the most famous Hitler phrase there is in this world.” Keothavong conferred with security personnel to identify the culprit.
A man wearing a blue baseball cap was singled out and promptly removed from the venue. Later, Zverev told reporters he had heard the fan reciting the opening words of Deutschland Über Alles, the national anthem of Germany during the Nazi era. “It was a bit too much,” said Zverev, adding: “I’m German, and not really proud of that history.” The 12th seed commended the umpire’s handling of the situation and said it did not affect his play as he went on to complete a memorable victory.
The rowdy night session crowds at Arthur Ashe Stadium have drawn criticism during this year’s US Open. Former pro Rennae Stubbs said on social media there were some “bad characters” among fans, referencing a recent incident where a drink was thrown at her. German player Laura Siegemund also complained about lack of respect from the Arthur Ashe crowd after an early-round defeat last week.
While most fans contribute positively to the atmosphere, this episode demonstrates how a small minority can cross the line with offensive behaviour. The swift ejection shows organisers remain vigilant about maintaining an inclusive environment.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
