A political protester, center, is caught by a security guard during the men's singles final between Andy Murray of Britain and Novak Djokovic of Serbia at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Sunday, Feb. 1, 2015. (AP Photo/Rob Griffith)
The Associated Press
MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) - A protester was tackled on court by a security guard during the Australian Open men's final between Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray on Sunday night, causing a brief delay in play during the second set.
Australian Open organizers said two people had been arrested, and police were expected to lay charges Monday.
"Security responded immediately. Both were quickly removed with minimal disruption to play," organizers said in a statement.
Security guards caught one court invader, who was wearing a white shirt with the message "Australia Open for Refugees," near the baseline during a changeover after the seventh game of the second set. The players were surrounded by security staff while stadium officials took action.
A group of other people who had unfurled a large banner with the same message was escorted out of Rod Laver Arena.
Since Prime Minister Tony Abbott took office in 2013, the Australian government has adopted a tough policy against asylum-seekers arriving by boat, sending them to offshore islands. They are denied resettlement in Australia even if they are found to be genuine refugees.
Djokovic, who was leading at the time of the protest, had a slump after the disruption but recovered in the third set and sent on to win 7-6 (5), 6-7 (4), 6-3, 6-0 to capture his fifth Australian Open title.
"It's not easy to keep the concentration 100 percent all the way through," Djokovic said. "There was this interruption with people coming into the court. It was a long delay. I was a set and a break up serving. I lost that serve. (Murray) started going through the ball more, being more aggressive, better player on the court."
A political protester, center, is caught by a security guard during the men's singles final between Andy Murray of Britain and Novak Djokovic of Serbia at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Sunday, Feb. 1, 2015. (AP Photo/Rob Griffith)
The Associated Press
Novak Djokovic of Serbia, right, is guarded by security guards as political protesters are taken away from Rod Laver Arena during his men's singles final against Andy Murray of Britain at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Sunday, Feb. 1, 2015.(AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)
The Associated Press
A political protester, center, is chased by a guard before he was taken away from Rod Laver Arena during the men's singles final between Andy Murray of Britain and Novak Djokovic of Serbia at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Sunday, Feb. 1, 2015. (AP Photo/Rob Griffith)
The Associated Press
Political protesters show their banner during the men's singles final between Andy Murray of Britain and Novak Djokovic of Serbia at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Sunday, Feb. 1, 2015. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)
The Associated Press
A political protester is taken away from Rod Laver Arena by a security guard during the men's singles final at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Sunday, Feb. 1, 2015. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)
The Associated Press
A political protester is taken away from Rod Laver Arena by a security guard and police during the men's singles final at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Sunday, Feb. 1, 2015. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian)
The Associated Press
A political protester is taken away from Rod Laver Arena by a security guard during the men's singles final at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Sunday, Feb. 1, 2015. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian)
The Associated Press