“Insulting”: ASB Classic Fans Forced to Wear Croatian Jerseys Inside-Out Due to Alleged “New Policy”
By Lions Roar News Sports & Culture Desk
AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND (January 7, 2026) — What was supposed to be a day of sporting celebration turned into a “baffling” and “insulting” experience for two local tennis fans at the ASB Classic on Stanley Street.
Joseph Erceg and his friend, who attended Tuesday’s afternoon session to support Croatian star Donna Vekić, claim they were targeted by security for their attire and heritage before they could even enter the stadium.
🚫 The Confrontation at the Gate
The incident occurred as the pair went to scan their tickets for Vekić’s first-round match. According to Erceg, security staff stopped them and issued a strict ultimatum regarding their Croatian national football shirts.
- The Order: The fans were told that wearing national sports jerseys was strictly prohibited and were ordered to turn their shirts inside-out to hide the Croatian colors.
- Flags Seized: In addition to the clothing restriction, their Croatian national flags were confiscated by security personnel.
- The Reason Given: When Erceg sought an explanation, staff allegedly claimed the move was part of a “new policy” introduced by the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) following the tragic Bondi Beach massacre last month.
🏟️ “Go to Kmart”
Erceg expressed immense frustration over the lack of transparency and the “dismissive” attitude of the stadium staff.
- No Prior Warning: Erceg noted that there was no mention of a jersey ban on the official ASB Classic website or on the back of the tickets.
- A Lack of Solutions: When the fans asked if they could purchase alternative shirts inside the venue to avoid wearing their jerseys inside-out, Erceg claims a staff member told them to simply “go to Kmart and buy a shirt.”
“We were there to support a player from our heritage. To be told our jerseys were a security risk or against some unwritten policy felt like a slap in the face,” Erceg said.
🔍 Fact-Check: WTA Policy vs. Local Security
While the WTA does have guidelines regarding political demonstrations and large banners, there has been no official global directive banning fans from wearing national sports jerseys or representing their heritage in a non-disruptive manner.
Furthermore, the link between a sports jersey and the Bondi Beach incident—which occurred in a shopping mall, not a sporting event—has left many fans and commentators questioning the logic used by the Stanley St security team.
