Nazi intruder bypasses security, invades Swedish Open tennis court (VIDEO)
Security at the Swedish Open detained a man after he invaded center court to shout Nazi slogans during a high-profile match being broadcast on television.
Saturday's tennis semi-final between Fernando Verdasco and David Ferrer in Båstad, Sweden was disrupted for a brief moment when a man jumped a barrier onto the court.
The tennis semi-final between Fernando Verdasco and David Ferrer in Båstad, Sweden was disrupted for a brief moment when a man jumped a barrier onto the court.
In to the @swedish_open final for a 4️⃣th time!
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) July 22, 2017
Congratulations @DavidFerrer87 👍
Beats Verdasco 6-1 6-7 6-4 pic.twitter.com/OKMHpedUtA
Managing to approach the clay court, the man dressed in a black t-shirt – emblazoned with the word ‘revolution’ – then proceeded to shout phrases associated with Nazism.
READ MORE: Tennis player banned after forcibly kissing reporter on-air (VIDEO)
According to Expressen, the unidentified man performed a Nazi salute and shouted ‘Hell Seger’ – the Swedish translation of the ‘Sieg Heil.’
Video from local broadcaster TV10 shows the moment the court invader bypassed security to disturb play and was met by a volley of boos from an angry crowd of spectators.
The man was later led away by security staff at the Båstad Tennis Stadium.
Dün Bastad yarı finali sırasında korta giren Nazi sempatizanı bir kişi, "Seig Heil!" diye bağırmış. Güvenlik fecaat. pic.twitter.com/mwDDdavOuF
— Scandinavian (@ScandinavianBet) July 23, 2017
After the referee ordered a short stoppage in play, Spain’s David Ferrer overcame his opponent by two sets to one.
He later admitted to being shaken by the mid-game incident.
Winner interview with #swedishopen finalist @DavidFerrer87 after his 14:th win over fellow countryman Fernando Verdasco pic.twitter.com/9ppX5rgkIr
— Swedish Open Tennis (@swedish_open) July 22, 2017
“It was not good, it’s not good that such an incident happens,” Ferrer said after the match. “People who streak and just want attention are just a little fun, this is different. For someone saying ‘Heil Hitler’ or so, that’s not normal.”
