Security Breach During French Open Finals

Written by: Staff on 10th June 2013

French Open tennis tournament at Roland Garros

Security Breach During French Open Finals

epa03737819 A protestor of 'Hommen' is being catched after trying to run on the court during the men's final match of David Ferrer of Spain against his compatriot Rafael Nadal at the French Open tennis tournament at Roland Garros in Paris, France, 09 June 2013. Protestors of 'Hommen' are an emerging force in the anti- gay marriage movement. EPA/CAROLINE BLUMBERG |

Security, or the lack of it, at Roland Garros came sharply into focus as masked, bare-chested protestor got onto the court during the French Open final, appearing to endanger eventual champion Rafael Nadal.

Many insisted it was the most dangerous intrusion onto the playing surface since Monica Seles was stabbed while playing at Hamburg’s Rothenbaum just over 20 years ago.

However in 2009 there was another breach when serial protester called Jimmy Jump ran up to Roger Federer in his French Open title win over Robin Soderling and tried to put a hat on the Swiss’s head.

The man, believed to be protesting against France’s decision to legalize gay marriage and with the word ‘Kids rights’ inked onto his stomach, was carrying a blazing red flare and forced his way through the front few rows behind the players’ chairs before running to within just a few feet of Nadal.

He was bundled away by a gang of security men before he could get any closer to the eight times French Open champion. Play was interrupted a few minutes earlier when two chanting bare-chested men stood up in the upper tiers, holding a banner saying in English, “’France tramples on children’s rights.”

There were also protests on Roland Garros’ second court, Suzanne Lenglen, where a group of men also wearing shorts and no shirts held up flares and a banner calling on President Francois Hollande to resign.

The same-sex marriage bill, which also legalizes gay adoption, was signed into law by Hollande last month and a huge protest march took place in Paris on the first day of the tournament two weeks ago.

A spokeswoman for the France Tennis Federation said: “The incident is over and is now in the hands of the police.”

While Nadal appeared undeterred by the interruption that occurred late in the second set, he went on to beat fellow Spaniard David Ferrer 6-3 6-2 6-2,. He said: “I was scared for a moment when I saw the man with the fire in his hand but the security people did a very good job and to them I say thank-you very much.”

The drama unfolded in front of the Presidential Tribune where Olympic gold medalist Usain Bolt and Hollywood actor Leonardo DiCaprio were sitting among the tennis dignitaries.

At the beginning of the French Open two weeks earlier, security was tightened not just at Roland Garros but across Paris, at a massed protest after the first same-sex wedding in France took place last month.

Campaigners against gay marriage and adoption by same-sex couples, backed by the Catholic Church and conservative opposition, argue the law undermines an essential building block of society.

©Daily Tennis News Wire

Topics: David Ferrer, French Open Finals, French Open Security, Rafael Nadal, Roland Garros, Sports, Tennis News, Usain Bolt