ADAM KAMIEN

TENNIS fans have shown their support for Israeli players competing at the Australian Open at Melbourne Park.

Many Jewish fans wore Israeli T-shirts and caps, chanted in Hebrew for their hero and waved the Israeli flag in support.

Israeli tennis player Dudi Sela thanked the parochial crowd after his first-round exit on January 19, saying it is among the most supportive in world tennis.

Sela lost to Ukrainian qualifier Ivan Sergeyev in four sets in front of a packed court-19 crowd.

“It’s very special,” Sela said of the crowd support.

“The US Open and [the Australian Open] is where we get the most support. It’s bad for the supporters that I lost first round and they won’t get to see me again.”

Sela said he appreciated having 2008 Australian Open doubles winners Andy Ram and Yoni Erlich as well as Israeli ambassador Yuval Rotem watching on from the stands.

Don Lane with fans at Sydney’s Berger Centre. Photo: AJN file

AJN STAFF

AROUND 800 fans packed into the South Sydney Junior Rugby League Club today to take part in a public memorial for entertainer Don Lane who died last month of a dementia-related illness, aged 75.

On stage at the League Club, linked to Lane’s beloved Rabbitohs, the star-studded tribute was led by his son PJ, and featured reminiscences from Lane’s A-list friends, including Bert Newton, Rhonda Burchmore, Helen Reddy, Toni Lamond, Tony Pantano and Mike McColl Jones.

Fans had begun gathering at the venue from 6.45am and were admitted free, but were asked to make a donation to the Alzheimer’s Association of NSW.

Lane’s former wife Jayne Ambrose thanked his supporters for attending and distributed copies of his autobiography.
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