Protester hauled away by spectators after throwing ‘Free Palestine’ leaflets

A protester was hauled away from Margaret Court Arena by members of the crowd during Alex Zverev’s fourth-round match.

A protester was hauled away from Margaret Court Arena after throwing leaflets onto the court midway through Alex Zverev’s match against Cameron Norrie.

The bizarre incident briefly stopped play as the pair duked it out for the third set during their four-hour, five-set classic.

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The commentators were clearly unimpressed at the “ridiculous” delay at a crucial moment in the match.

High resolution images showed the leaflets were relating to the conflict in Palestine, reading “War Crimes and genocide. Free Palestine.”

Other nearby spectators took it upon themselves to stop the woman and forcibly escort her away from the arena.

The Australian Open has taken a hard stance against political demonstrations at the event, with flags not relating to the countries players are representing being banned.

A pro-Palestinian protester throws leaflets onto the court.

Other nearby spectators took it upon themselves to stop the woman and forcibly escort her away from the arena.

After the kerfuffle was over, Zverev overcame the fierce challenge from Norrie to make the Australian Open quarter-finals.

The German sixth seed won 7-5, 3-6, 6-3, 4-6, 7-6 (10-3) in a match lasting more than four hours and will face second seed Carlos Alcaraz in the last eight.

“At the end of the day it’s a grand slam and everyone is playing at their best here,” said Zverev.

“Cam has definitely been playing amazing tennis and I’m just happy to get through.”

Both men were rock-solid on serve in the first set until Zverev won a compelling 16-shot rally to earn two break points in the 11th game.

He then made the vital breakthrough when Norrie found the net.

After the kerfuffle was over, Zverev overcame the fierce challenge from Norrie to make the Australian Open quarter-finals.

The German, who had won all four of their previous Tour-level matches, broke first in the second set to ramp up the pressure on his 19th-seeded opponent but Norrie then went on a four-game winning spree to level the match.

A single break was enough to give Zverev the third set and the roles were reversed in the fourth set as Norrie hit back.

The feel-good factor rapidly evaporated for the British number one, who dumped a forehand into the net to lose his serve in the opening game of the deciding set.

protestors were throwing papers on the court in the direction of Zverev on MCA pic.twitter.com/K4AHNbCuqo

— Ryan (@Some1NamedRyan) January 22, 2024

But he was back on level terms within minutes, breaking for the fourth time in the match.

A wild forehand from Norrie in the seventh game handed Zverev two more break points but he failed to capitalise.

The deciding set almost inevitably went to a tie-break, which turned into a one-sided affair. Zverev raced into an 8-2 lead and closed it out.

The German has a career-high ranking of number two but has never won a grand slam.

He was runner-up at the 2020 US Open and has reached the semi-finals at the Australian Open and the French Open.