The Australian Open final between Rafael Nadal and Daniil Medvedev in Melbourne was disrupted on Sunday in dramatic circumstances as a protester jumped onto the court.
Medvedev made an excellent start at Rod Laver Arena as he dominated the first set. However, the match was halted during the second set when a man waving a banner jumped out of the crowd and entered the court.
He was only metres from Medvedev but was immediately tackled by several security men and hauled away before the match resumed.
The intruder was protesting the treatment of refugees in the country. He held up a banner saying “abolish refugee detention”.
Australia's immigration laws have come into sharp focus since Novak Djokovic's failed attempt to feature at the Australian Open.
The Serb, 34, was deported from Australia after an 11-day saga involving two visa cancellations, two court challenges and five nights in two stints at an immigration detention hotel where asylum seekers are held.
Djokovic’s days in Australia were largely spent in the Park Hotel, which is used for immigration detention, while he fought in the courts to stay in Melbourne. This was welcomed by refugee advocates for the international attention it brought on 60 other people kept in the same high-rise building because they don’t have visas.
Djokovic deported after losing Australian visa cancellation appeal
