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
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Novak is appealing Immigration Minister Alex Hawke's use of discretionary powers to cancel his visa again on the grounds that he was a threat to public order because his presence would encourage anti-vaccination sentiment amidst Australia's worst outbreak of the virus. AFP -
Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic departs the Park Hotel while under immigration detention, to convene with his legal team after his visa to play in the Australian Open was cancelled a second time, in Melbourne, Australia, January 16, 2022. Reuters -
Three Federal Court judges will decide the fate of the world No 1 after a rollercoaster 10 days that saw him detained by immigration authorities, released and then detained again ahead of a tournament that starts on Monday. Reuters -
Supporters of Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic gather outside the offices of Djokovic's legal team, as they listen to an audio court hearing. Getty Images -
Supporters of tennis player Novak Djokovic wave national flags as they gather in front of Federal Court building in Melbourne. AFP -
Goran Zabic, a Serbian supporter of tennis player Novak Djokovic, arrives in front of the office of Djokovic's lawyers on January 16, 2022 in Melbourne, Australia. Getty Images -
Supporters of Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic hold their flags outside the Federal Court building in Melbourne. AP Photo -
Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic departs the Park Hotel while under immigration detention, to convene with his legal team. Reuters -
Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic is photographed as he is transported from an Immigration Hotel in Melbourne. EPA -
The Serb, 34, was escorted to his lawyers office by immigration officials to attend the virtual court hearing on Sunday morning, having spent Saturday night back in an immigration detention hotel in Melbourne. Getty Images -
Media attempt to photograph Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic as he is transported from an Immigration Hotel in Melbourne, Australia. EPA -
Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic departs the Park Hotel while under immigration detention. Reuters -
Supporters of Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic gather outside the offices of Djokovic's legal team on January 16, 2022 in Melbourne, Australia. Djokovic lost his attempt to overturn his deportation with the judges ruling unanimously to uphold the Australian government decision to cancel his visa. Getty Images -
Members of the media wait outside the car park of the office of the legal team of Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic. Getty Images -
Supporters of Novak Djokovic hold national flags as they gather in front of Federal Court building . AFP
