A protestor has caused disruption at the Australian Open after chucking sheets of paper in reference to the Israel-Hamas war onto the court for Cam Norrie's match against Alexander Zverev.
The British No 1 and Zverev were midway through the third set with the match level when the disruption occurred.
Boos from the crowd could be heard as a woman with a face mask on ran down the stairs and began shouting "free Palestine".
The protestor then threw a bunch of paper onto the court, which read "free Palestine" and "war crimes and genocide".
The protestor was stopped be a member in the crowd
EUROSPORT
Security wasn't on hand to stop the protestor with another member of the crowd stepping in.
Loud cheers could be heard ringing around the Margaret Court Arena as the protestor was escorted out of the arena.
Norrie and Zverev were unsure what to do on court as they returned to their chair during the delay.
Ball kids were quick to clear up the mess on the court before play quickly resumed.
Last year's Australian Open was hit by a protest storm after pro-Vladimir Putin demonstrators broke past security.
Novak Djokovic's father as at the centre of the controversy after he posed for pictures with fans holding Russian flags as well as the pro-war “Z” symbol associated with support of the Ukraine invasion.
Spectators were banned from having Russian or Belarusian flags after an incident earlier in the tournament with players from both counties required to play under a neutral flag.
Srdjan Djokovic later said he would not be in attendance for his son's semi-final clash with Tommy Paul to avoid any "disruption".
The protestor was dragged out the arena by other crowd members
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Djokovic's father was also absent from his son's player's box for the Australian Open final, when he picked up his 10th Grand Slam title Down Under.
Speaking after the match, an emotional Djokovic admitted he was "hurt" at not having his father in the stands.
“We both agreed that it would probably be better that he’s not there,” Djokovic said.
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The protestor shouted 'free Palestine' in the stands
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“That hurts him and me a lot because these are special, unique moments that who knows if they are repeated again.
“It was not easy for him. I saw him after the match and he was not feeling his best, let’s say.
“He was happy to hug me, but I could see he was a bit sad.”
