Novak Djokovic described spectators in Adelaide are like a home crowd ©Getty Images

Spectators at the Australian Open next week have been warned that they will be ejected if they abuse Novak Djokovic.

"If they disrupt the enjoyment of anyone else, boom, they are out," Australian Open tournament director Craig Tiley told Sun-Herald.

"We don't want them on site, they can stay away or we will kick them out."

The tournament has asked spectators to be "respectful" to all players.

Djokovic, who is seeded number five for the tournament, has won the Australian Open men's singles nine times.

He missed the competition last year after he was deported for refusing to have a COVID-19 vaccine.

Djokovic had initially been banned from returning to Australia until 2025, but this restriction was overturned last November.

Djokovic insisted his exit from a practice match this week was only a precaution ©Getty Images
Djokovic insisted his exit from a practice match this week was only a precaution ©Getty Images

Djokovic beat Sebastian Korda over three sets in the Adelaide Open on Sunday to claim his first title of 2023.

"It definitely felt like playing at home," Djokovic admitted afterwards.

"It is something that I don't think I've experienced too many times in my life." 

This morning, in his first appearance in Melbourne this year, Djokovic played only 40 minutes of a practice match against Daniil Medvedev on the Rod Laver Court before coming off after feeling pain in his hamstring.

"I just felt it pulling and I didn't want to risk anything worse," Djokovic told Australian television network Channel Nine.

Play in the Australian Open is scheduled to begin on Monday January 16.