Matteo Berrettini’s dad was spotted using a vape courtside (Image: TikTok @spiza08)
The father of one player risked being thrown out after being caught using a banned device.
Matteo Berrettini’s dad Luca took his place in one of the new courtside coaching pods to cheer his son during his second-round match against .
But eagle-eyed fans quickly noticed Berrettini’s father was taking quick puffs of a vape while sitting in the box on John Cain Arena.
Rune came out on top, beating the Italian 7-6(3) 2-6 6-3 7-6(6) in a tight four-setter.
The match became too much for Berrettini’s dad Luca, who was seen taking cheeky puffs of his vape while sitting in the corner of the court.
Although he wasn’t pulled up on it during the match, spectators filmed his discreetly vaping and shared the footage on . One video caption read: “Vape much”.
Melbourne Park’s code of conduct for spectators confirms that vaping is not allowed inside the venues. Those who break the rules can be removed from the arena or from the tournament altogether.
Matteo Berrettini suffered a four-set defeat to Holger Rune (Image: Getty)
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“Smoking, including e-cigarettes and/or vaping, is not permitted inside arenas within the event area or within 10 metres of the external doors and any food outlet,” the conditions of entry read.
“Should you wish to smoke or vape, please do so via the designated areas.”
Berrettini’s dad was lucky not to get caught, as he risked being kicked out of the match and possibly the tournament.
The Melbourne and Olympic Park entry conditions state: “Any guest who breaches any of the Conditions of Entry may be evicted from the Event Area or event (and, where relevant, the M&OP Precinct).”
Fans on weren’t happy to see Luca escape a ban. “Yet I do that and I’m kicked out, probably banned and fined more than a months worth of work,” one user commented.
Another demanded: “Give him a fine and ban him from the premises for the rest of his players’ time in the event.”
Although Berrettini will be disappointed with his second-round exit, the good news is the tournament won’t need to retroactively ban his dad from watching his matches after watching back footage of him vaping.
Meanwhile, Rune will take on Miomir Kecmanovic for a spot in the second week. The 13th seed has had a tough draw so far, beating rising star Zhizhen Zhang in five sets before needing four to oust Berrettini.