Alexander Zverev says fans should not have to tackle protesters at Australian Open
Sign up now: Get the biggest sports news in your inbox
A woman throws flyers about Palestine during the match between Germany's Alexander Zverev and Britain's Cameron Norrie.
PHOTO: REUTERS
MELBOURNE – Alexander Zverev said he was surprised two spectators had to step in and drag away a protester who disrupted his Australian Open fourth-round clash with Cameron Norrie on Margaret Court Arena on Jan 22.
The German’s match came to a brief halt in the third set when an individual wearing a mask threw “Free Palestine” leaflets on the court from the stands before being dragged away. Ball kids then cleared up the court and play resumed.
“That was a little bit surprising because the security here, I mean on site where the players’ area is, is extremely strict,” said Zverev, who went on to close out a 7-5, 3-6, 6-3, 4-6, 7-6 (10-3) win.
“Even today, I went to the locker room, and the gym area is right next to the locker room. They wouldn’t let me into the gym because I forgot my credential.
“What are you doing? You’re protecting players from players. There’s obviously screens and TVs everywhere in front of all the security guys. If you’ve seen somebody play for four hours, it’s okay to go stretching in the gym, even if you forgot your credential.
“But that’s not really the whole point. Something like this (protest) happens and it takes three, four minutes for somebody to show up.”
In response to the incident, Tennis Australia said that venue security was deployed to detain the individual as soon as the behaviour was identified and reported. The protester was subsequently evicted.
“Two patrons were active in notifying security and stopping the protester and we appreciate their actions,” Tennis Australia said in a statement, adding that it would not tolerate behaviour that seeks to disrupt the tournament.
But Zverev still insisted that it should have been the security officials who acted first and not fans.
“It should be the security guys who should be there quite quickly. It shouldn’t take them three to four minutes,” he said.
“That’s not sounding arrogant. I understand they’re all doing their job. But I think when something like this happens, it shouldn’t be another fan dragging the other person out.” REUTERS
