Refugee Protest at Australian Open Final

W300

Play was held up during the men's final at the Australian Open on Sunday when a banner was unfurled protesting against the treatment of refugees, with at least one person jumping on court.

Security officials quickly encircled Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray during a changeover in the second set with the Serbian world number one leading 4-3.

A white banner unfurled over advertising hoardings on the side of the court read "Australian Open for Refugees."

One person was taken from the court by security officials with several others were led from the grandstands before play resumed after five minutes.

Australia has adopted a hardline policy against asylum-seekers arriving by boat, which has frequently sparked criticism.

Since July 2013 the government has sent boatpeople to camps on Papua New Guinea's Manus Island and Nauru in the Pacific.

They are denied resettlement in Australia even if they are found to be genuine refugees.