The second Laver Cup match between Stefanos Tsitsipas and Diego Schwartzman on Friday in London was briefly interrupted after an activist burst onto the court and tried to set his arm on fire in protest at the use of private jets.
The Greek had just won the first set 6-2 and the players were on the bench for their respective teams when a young man, wearing a t-shirt that read ‘End private jets in the UK’ rushed to the net.
AFP
He sat down in the middle of the court before apparently setting fire to a flammable substance on his arm, but the flames were quickly extinguished and the youngster was evacuated by security.
“A man accessed the court this afternoon and was quickly evacuated by security. The game was briefly interrupted, it was arrested and the situation is being handled by the police,” commented the organizers in a press release.
AFP
Officials briefly checked the surface of the court for damage and play resumed without delay, with Tsitsipas finishing his work by winning the second set 6-1 to give the European team a 2-0 advantage against the rest of the world.
“It came out of nowhere. I have no idea what he wanted. I had never experienced such an incident on the court. I hope he is well,” Tsitsipas said after the game.
AFP
The first day of the Couper Laver will end with the last match of Roger Federer’s career, in doubles, associated with Rafael Nadal, to face the Americans Jack Sok and Frances Tiafoe.