Revealed: US Open officials let Jannik Sinner bag thief off with a WARNING despite calls for lifetime ban
Questions have been raised over security at the US Open after a man who tried to steal from the bag of world No 1 Jannik Sinner was allowed to walk free with a mere warning.
The brazen attempted theft occurred on Monday night after the Italian had just secured his spot in the quarter-finals with a victory on Arthur Ashe.
The courtside seats in the stadium cost fans thousands of dollars per session, and one man quickly went viral after using his access to attempt to steal from Sinner’s bag.
The Italian, a four-time Grand Slam champion, was posing for selfies with fans when the unidentified man leant over and tried to unzip his bag without him noticing, before a security guard realized what was happening and swatted his hand away.
Incredibly, USTA officials confirmed to the Daily Mail on Monday that no further action was taken, despite fans on social media calling for the man to be banned for life from attending the tournament.
He was given a slap on the wrist after being asked to leave the US Open grounds – hardly a punishment given play had finished for the day and all other fans were leaving too.
A US Open fan was caught trying to open and steal something from Jannik Sinner’s bag
Sinner paused for a selfie and the fan made his move, only for the security guard to notice
The fan quickly pulled his hands back and looked embarrassed he had been caught
It is understood US Open officials believed a warning was sufficient punishment for him to not try anything similar in the future.
On social media, though, tennis fans called for the man to be banned, with one writing: ‘This should be a lifetime ban, not a dirty look.’
Another added: ‘wtf is wrong with people? NYC brings out the worst. I swear.’
The incident was far from the first time that headlines at this year’s US Open tournament were dominated by bizarre behavior from members of the crowd.
A Polish millionaire businessman attracted fury last week when he stole a player’s cap that was intended for a young fan.
Piotr Szczerek was unmasked by internet sleuths after a viral video showed him swiping the memento intended for a child, known as Brock, by tennis star Kamil Majchrzak.
On Monday, a man attempted to approach 18-year-old star Mirra Andreeva at the US Open
He finally issued a groveling apology on Monday, saying in a lengthy statement he made ‘a huge mistake’ and revealed he has since given the hat back to Brock.
Just hours before the Sinner incident on Arthur Ashe, Court 17 saw a scary incident unfold on Monday too – after Russian 18-year-old Mirra Andreeva looked startled by a man shouting her name from the stands.
During a break in Andreeva’s women’s doubles match, she was seated on the bench alongside her partner Diana Shnaider as the two discussed the game.
However, as they were sat there, one fan attempted to get the attention of the Russian star and was seen calling to her from off the court.
In a clip that has gone viral on social media, the man could be seen leaning over the barricade and shouting Andreeva’s name from close proximity.
Andreeva’s incident is the latest bizarre fan interaction at the event. A Polish businessman sparked controversy after snatching a cap away from a young fan just last week
The 18-year-old eventually turned around. The man then uttered another sentence, however it remains unclear as to what he said to the teenager.
He flashed a smile before a visibly uncomfortable Andreeva turned back around in bemusement. The man swiftly made an exit after the awkward interaction.
The Russian then turned to Shnaider, who had an equally puzzled look upon her face.
The incident was posted onto X, with the caption reading: ‘this was creepy asf [crying emojis] mirra is freaked out’.
