Pro-Palestinian protesters interrupted a second match at the Australian Open, this time disrupting the women’s singles final between Aryna Sabalenka and Zheng Qinwen.
Zheng – who is a set behind the defending champion – was preparing to serve to get himself on the board in the second set when the Rod Laver Arena was disrupted by shouts from some protesters.
The demonstrators waved Palestinian flags before being quickly pulled away by members of the security forces.
Their shouts were met with patient frustration by both players on the field – and with boos and jeers from the spectators watching the final.
After the delay, Zheng was able to complete her serve but remains under extreme threat from the Belarusian world number 2, who wants to beat her opponent 5-1 to win back-to-back titles.
A demonstrator protested pro-Palestine during the women’s final of the Australian Open
The man and several others stood up in the second set and shouted their message across the stadium
Zheng Qinwen was forced to wait as she prepared to hold serve for the first time in the second set
Saturday’s protest marks the second time matches in Melbourne have been interrupted due to protests against the conflict between Israel and Hamas.
Britain’s Cameron Norrie saw his clash with Alexander Zverev interrupted by a lone protester throwing leaflets onto the pitch behind the German as he prepared to return Norrie’s serve.
In that case, security was slow to intervene and the protester was eliminated by two spectators eager for the players to resume.
The pamphlets appeared to emphasize “war crimes and genocide” and carried the slogan “Liberate Palestine” in an attempt to raise awareness of the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.
Defending champion Aryna Sabalenka had to watch and wait for play to resume
The demonstrators were removed by security to the sound of boos from throughout the stadium
“While you are watching tennis, bombs are falling on Gaza,” the pamphlet said.
Australia is a close ally of Israel. Australia is complicit in war crimes and genocide.