Australian Open star’s dad is caught on video using a banned device in act that could get him thrown out of the grand slam

  • Blatant act is a violation of the conditions of entry to Melbourne Park 
  • Happened during tense match against Holger Rune 
  • Fans have been left fuming the star’s dad got away with his actions 

A beaten Australian Open star’s father has put himself at risk of being banned from tournament for breaching a clear cut rule. 

Danish 13th seed Holger Rune fought out a 7-6 ( 7-3) 2-6 6-3 7-6 (8-6) win over talented Italian Matteo Berrettini on Thursday.

During the intense match, Berrettini’s father Luca watched from one of the tournament’s new courtside coaching pods.

However, fans called him out after he was seen discreetly vaping, hiding the device in his hand and taking quick puffs during his son’s match.

The footage was posted to TikTok with the caption ‘vape much’.

The Melbourne & Olympic Parks website clearly states that smoking and vaping is not allowed inside the venue, and signs are placed around the facilities. 

The TikTok footage showed Italian star Matteo Berrettini’s father Luca watching on during his son’s match on Thursday while discreetly hiding a vape in his hands

Luca then expels a cloud of vapour in a clear violation of the Australian Open rules

Luca then expels a cloud of vapour in a clear violation of the Australian Open rules

‘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 website reads.

‘Should you wish to smoke or vape, please do so via the designated areas.’

The conditions also state that Berrettini’s father can be kicked out of the Australian Open because of his actions.

‘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),’ the rules state. 

Several tennis fans were left fuming by the Italian’s actions and the double standards that allowed him to get away with it. 

‘We would get kicked out if we did that,’ one fumed.

‘Yet I do that and I’m kicked out, probably banned and fined more than a months worth of work,’ posted another.

‘Security clearly doing their job,’ added another fan.

Luca (pictured far left with Matteo, second from left) could be expelled from the Australian Open for his actions

Luca (pictured far left with Matteo, second from left) could be expelled from the Australian Open for his actions

Berrettini is already out of the tournament after losing to Danish star Holger Rune

Berrettini is already out of the tournament after losing to Danish star Holger Rune

The development comes as the Federal Government cracks down on the sale and use of illegal vaping devices. 

As of July 1, 2024, all vapes and vaping products in Australia, including non-nicotine options, can only be sold in pharmacies to aid smoking cessation or nicotine dependence management. 

The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has outlined severe penalties for the unlawful sale of vaping goods, including up to 7 years in jail and fines reaching $2.2million for individuals and $21.9million for corporations

State and territory laws may vary, so individuals could face consequences such as confiscation or fines in certain jurisdictions if found in possession of illegal vapes. 

The Australian Government is also rolling out a national program to prevent young people from taking up vaping. 

‘Vaping is a modern problem, and we need modern and innovative solutions if we are to avoid another generation of people becoming addicted to nicotine,’ Minister for Health and Aged Care Mark Butler said. 

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