JINGOISM

Police have warned they are ready to crack down on troublemakers at the Australian Open after ethnic violence marred recent tournaments.

In 2007, 150 Croat and Serb fans engaged in a wild brawl, hitting each other with bottles and flagpoles. It was the first time in more than 100 years of grand slam tennis that violence had erupted at a tournament.

Police then used capsicum spray on a group of rowdy Greek supporters in 2008 while last year a fight broke out in one of the bar areas between Bosnian and Serbian fans, who threw plastic chairs at each other.

The year's first grand slam begins on Monday.

Police also had expanded powers to deal with drunkeness and swearing, he said, while they would also use closed-circuit television to monitor the crowds and venue 24 hours a day.

REUTERS