Comanchero bikie Tarek Zahed spotted at Australian Open final

Comanchero bikie Tarek Zahed has been keeping a low profile since arriving back in Australia … until now.

The best efforts of controversial Comanchero bikie Tarek Zahed to keep a low profile have come undone on one of the biggest sporting stages in the world – the Australian Open men’s final.

Zahed recently arrived back in Australia after several months overseas, but a strict NSW Police order which limits his movements in NSW meant instead of returning to his hometown he instead moved to Melbourne.

Comanchero bikie Tarek Zahed made a surprise appearance when he inadvertently caused a delay to the Australian Open men’s final. Picture: Supplied

Rafael Nadal and Daniil Medvedev were forced to wait for Zahed and other patrons to return to their seats after a change of ends. Picture: Supplied

The Comanchero sergeant-at-arms is understood to have relocated to Victoria because of strict orders on his movements in NSW. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Christian Gilles

But while the intention of the Comanchero sergeant-at-arms’ move south was to avoid attention, he found himself on international television as Rafael Nadal and Daniil Medvedev did battle on Sunday night.

At a crucial stage of the third set Zahed was slow to return to his seat from a toilet break, with Nadal forced to delay serving until the bikie and other fans sat down.

A strict police order limits his movements in NSW.

“Thank you, behind the players, move along quickly,” Australian chair umpire John Blom announced.

“Just take the nearest seat, thanks,” Blom said, as others in the crowd could be heard to yell: “Sit down!”

TV commentator Jim Courier explained the delay in play, saying: “That is right behind where Nadal is serving, so that’s in Medvedev’s eyeline”.

While he has become known for his love of high fashion brands including Balenciaga, Zahed instead wore a simple grey T-shirt and black shorts on the humid summers night.

In late-December the NSW Supreme Court granted a serious crime prevention order (SCPO) against Zahed almost nine months after it was applied for by police.

The application for an SCPO was made in an attempt to limit Zahed’s involvement in the operations of the Comanchero – the most powerful bikie gang in Australia.

At the time it was granted Zahed was in Lebanon, where he had travelled in September despite the efforts of NSW Police to keep him in the country.

Police sources said they expect him to continue to live in Victoria until the SCPO expires.

Originally published as Comanchero bikie Tarek Zahed spotted at Australian Open final