Klein barred from appearing in Australian Open play-offs
Brydan Klein appears to have finally run out of luck as he was barred from taking part in the Australian Open tennis wildcard play-offs. High hopes had been attached to the 20-year old West Australian, but they appear to be in vain.
Only last month Klein launched a bitter attack on the court staff at the Goldfields St Ives International at Kalgoorlie as he complained about the court. Klein, who is also a Davis Cup representative then refused to shake the hand of the chair umpire, before
he was fined for unsportsmanlike behaviour by the organizers.
That was the final straw for Todd Woordbridge, the current head of men’s tennis at Tennis Australia as he barred Klein – along with Swede Nick Lindahl and Victorian Dayne Kelly - from appearing in the playoffs scheduled for December 17 – 19.
The three players are now expected to go through the qualifying phase of the Australian Open if they are to appear in the prestigious event. Klein who has also been feting for psychological help, shot to stardom in 2007 when he was crowned the Australian
Open junior champion. Since then though, his numerous on-court antics have led to many to speculate about his future as a professional tennis player.
Klein was suspended for 6 months and fined $14,000 last year for calling his South African opponent a “Kaafir” and allegedly spitting at his coach and another player during the tournament in Eastbourne, England. After this atrocious display of behavior,
Tennis Australia immediately cut the grants being offered to Brydan Klein.
Despite saying he was sorry for his behaviour the baseliner from Perth stumbled into more trouble in Wellington, New Zealand two weeks ago. After losing his match to German Sebastian Rieschick, the world number 211 Klein threw his racquet, swore repeatedly
and had heated arguments with the courtside reporters.
Klein suffered a heavy blow when his long time coach and mentor Milo Bradley was disallowed from performing coaching duties with Klein. A statement by Woodbridge’s office said that: "The opportunity to participate in the Australian Open Play-off is a privilege,
not a right. This decision will send a clear message to all Australian players that breaching this code will not be supported by Tennis Australia through the granting of wildcards or other financial support."
Tennis Australia has consistently been rocked by such precocious behaviour. Lleyton Hewitt in his junior days was also considered somewhat of a maverick and was fined and admonished for disrespectful behaviour on court. With high hopes having been pinned
on the 20-year old Australian prodigy, Brydan Klein has let many people, including himself, down with his antics.
With the Australian Open beginning in January and sporting some of the greatest names in tennis’ all time history, the chance to play in the event is a dream come true. Sadly for Klein, he will have to now wait and see if he’s worth the standards expected
at the season starting Grand Slam Down Under.
Tags: