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The French tennis Open final between Rafael Nadal and David Ferrer was interrupted when a flare wielding anti gay-marriage activist burst on to the court
The man, topless and wearing a mask, got within a few feet of Nadal before being swiftly wrestled to the ground by security and bundled into the side of the court.
Nadal was serving for the second set at the time in the match at the Roland Garros stadium in Paris.
French Open protesters
2013 French Open - Day Fifteen(01 of41)
PARIS, FRANCE - JUNE 09: Protesters light flares and unfurl a banner on the top of Court Suzanne Lenglen as Rafael Nadal of Spain and David Ferrer of Spain compete on Court Philippe Chatrier during their Men's Singles final match during day fifteen of the French Open at Roland Garros on June 9, 2013 in Paris, France. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
2013 French Open - Day Fifteen(02 of41)
PARIS, FRANCE - JUNE 09: A security guard restrains a protester after he lit a flare and ran on court before the start of a game in the Men's Singles final match between Rafael Nadal of Spain and David Ferrer of Spain during day fifteen of the French Open at Roland Garros on June 9, 2013 in Paris, France. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
2013 French Open - Day Fifteen(03 of41)
PARIS, FRANCE - JUNE 09: A protester runs onto court with a lit flare before the start of a game in the Men's Singles final match between Rafael Nadal of Spain and David Ferrer of Spain during day fifteen of the French Open at Roland Garros on June 9, 2013 in Paris, France. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
2013 French Open - Day Fifteen(04 of41)
PARIS, FRANCE - JUNE 09: A security guard restrains a protester after he lit a flare and ran on court before the start of a game in the Men's Singles final match between Rafael Nadal of Spain and David Ferrer of Spain during day fifteen of the French Open at Roland Garros on June 9, 2013 in Paris, France. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
2013 French Open - Day Fifteen(05 of41)
PARIS, FRANCE - JUNE 09: A protester runs onto court with a lit flare before the start of a game in the Men's Singles final match between Rafael Nadal of Spain and David Ferrer of Spain during day fifteen of the French Open at Roland Garros on June 9, 2013 in Paris, France. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
2013 French Open - Day Fifteen(06 of41)
PARIS, FRANCE - JUNE 09: A security guard restrains a protester after he lit a flare and ran on court before the start of a game in the Men's Singles final match between Rafael Nadal of Spain and David Ferrer of Spain during day fifteen of the French Open at Roland Garros on June 9, 2013 in Paris, France. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
2013 French Open - Day Fifteen(07 of41)
PARIS, FRANCE - JUNE 09: A security guard restrains a protester after he lit a flare and ran on court before the start of a game in the Men's Singles final match between Rafael Nadal of Spain and David Ferrer of Spain during day fifteen of the French Open at Roland Garros on June 9, 2013 in Paris, France. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
2013 French Open - Day Fifteen(08 of41)
PARIS, FRANCE - JUNE 09: A protester runs onto court with a lit flare before the start of a game in the Men's Singles final match between Rafael Nadal of Spain and David Ferrer of Spain during day fifteen of the French Open at Roland Garros on June 9, 2013 in Paris, France. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
2013 French Open - Day Fifteen(09 of41)
PARIS, FRANCE - JUNE 09: A security guard restrains a protester after he lit a flare and ran on court before the start of a game in the Men's Singles final match between Rafael Nadal of Spain and David Ferrer of Spain during day fifteen of the French Open at Roland Garros on June 9, 2013 in Paris, France. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
2013 French Open - Day Fifteen(10 of41)
PARIS, FRANCE - JUNE 09: Rafael Nadal of Spain looks on as security guards restrain a protester after he lit a flare and ran on court before the start of a game in the Men's Singles final match between Rafael Nadal of Spain and David Ferrer of Spain during day fifteen of the French Open at Roland Garros on June 9, 2013 in Paris, France. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
2013 French Open - Day Fifteen(11 of41)
PARIS, FRANCE - JUNE 09: Security guards restrain a protester after he lit a flare and ran on court before the start of a game in the Men's Singles final match between Rafael Nadal of Spain and David Ferrer of Spain during day fifteen of the French Open at Roland Garros on June 9, 2013 in Paris, France. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
2013 French Open - Day Fifteen(12 of41)
PARIS, FRANCE - JUNE 09: A protester runs onto court with a lit flare before the start of a game in the Men's Singles final match between Rafael Nadal of Spain and David Ferrer of Spain during day fifteen of the French Open at Roland Garros on June 9, 2013 in Paris, France. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
2013 French Open - Day Fifteen(13 of41)
PARIS, FRANCE - JUNE 09: A protester is thrown over one of the court gates after he lit a flare and ran on court before the start of a game in the Men's Singles final match between Rafael Nadal of Spain and David Ferrer of Spain during day fifteen of the French Open at Roland Garros on June 9, 2013 in Paris, France. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
2013 French Open - Day Fifteen(14 of41)
PARIS, FRANCE - JUNE 09: Rafael Nadal of Spain is ushered away by a security guard after a protester lit a flare and jumped onto the court during the Men's Singles final match against David Ferrer of Spain on day fifteen of the French Open at Roland Garros on June 9, 2013 in Paris, France. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
2013 French Open - Day Fifteen(15 of41)
PARIS, FRANCE - JUNE 09: Rafael Nadal of Spain shakes hands with the security guard who ushered him away after a protester lit a flare and jumped onto the court during the Men's Singles final match against David Ferrer of Spain on day fifteen of the French Open at Roland Garros on June 9, 2013 in Paris, France. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
2013 French Open - Day Fifteen(16 of41)
PARIS, FRANCE - JUNE 09: A security guard restrains a protester after he lit a flare and ran on court before the start of a game in the Men's Singles final match between Rafael Nadal of Spain and David Ferrer of Spain during day fifteen of the French Open at Roland Garros on June 9, 2013 in Paris, France. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
2013 French Open - Day Fifteen(17 of41)
PARIS, FRANCE - JUNE 09: A security guard restrains a protester after he lit a flare and ran on court before the start of a game in the Men's Singles final match between Rafael Nadal of Spain and David Ferrer of Spain during day fifteen of the French Open at Roland Garros on June 9, 2013 in Paris, France. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
2013 French Open - Day Fifteen(18 of41)
PARIS, FRANCE - JUNE 09: Rafael Nadal of Spain looks on as security guards restrain a protester after he lit a flare and ran on court before the start of a game in the Men's Singles final match between Rafael Nadal of Spain and David Ferrer of Spain during day fifteen of the French Open at Roland Garros on June 9, 2013 in Paris, France. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
2013 French Open - Day Fifteen(19 of41)
PARIS, FRANCE - JUNE 09: A protester runs onto court with a lit flare before the start of a game in the Men's Singles final match between Rafael Nadal of Spain and David Ferrer of Spain during day fifteen of the French Open at Roland Garros on June 9, 2013 in Paris, France. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
2013 French Open - Day Fifteen(20 of41)
PARIS, FRANCE - JUNE 09: Protesters shout slogans and hold a banner aloft at the top of Court Philippe Chatrier during the Men's Singles final match between Rafael Nadal of Spain and David Ferrer of Spain on day fifteen of the French Open at Roland Garros on June 9, 2013 in Paris, France. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
2013 French Open - Day Fifteen(21 of41)
PARIS, FRANCE - JUNE 09: Protesters are ushered down the stairs from the top of Court Philippe Chatrier after they started shouting slogans and held a banner aloft during the Men's Singles final match between Rafael Nadal of Spain and David Ferrer of Spain on day fifteen of the French Open at Roland Garros on June 9, 2013 in Paris, France. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
2013 French Open - Day Fifteen(22 of41)
PARIS, FRANCE - JUNE 09: Protesters shout slogans at the top of Court Philippe Chatrier during the Men's Singles final match between Rafael Nadal of Spain and David Ferrer of Spain on day fifteen of the French Open at Roland Garros on June 9, 2013 in Paris, France. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
2013 French Open - Day Fifteen(23 of41)
PARIS, FRANCE - JUNE 09: Protesters shout slogans at the top of Court Philippe Chatrier during the Men's Singles final match between Rafael Nadal of Spain and David Ferrer of Spain on day fifteen of the French Open at Roland Garros on June 9, 2013 in Paris, France. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
2013 French Open - Day Fifteen(24 of41)
PARIS, FRANCE - JUNE 09: Protesters light flares and unfurl a banner on the top of Court Suzanne Lenglen as Rafael Nadal of Spain and David Ferrer of Spain compete on Court Philippe Chatrier during their Men's Singles final match during day fifteen of the French Open at Roland Garros on June 9, 2013 in Paris, France. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
2013 French Open - Day Fifteen(25 of41)
PARIS, FRANCE - JUNE 09: A security guard restrains a protester after he lit a flare and ran on court before the start of a game in the Men's Singles final match between Rafael Nadal of Spain and David Ferrer of Spain during day fifteen of the French Open at Roland Garros on June 9, 2013 in Paris, France. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
2013 French Open - Day Fifteen(26 of41)
PARIS, FRANCE - JUNE 09: A protester runs onto court with a lit flare before the start of a game in the Men's Singles final match between Rafael Nadal of Spain and David Ferrer of Spain during day fifteen of the French Open at Roland Garros on June 9, 2013 in Paris, France. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
2013 French Open - Day Fifteen(27 of41)
PARIS, FRANCE - JUNE 09: A protester runs onto court with a lit flare before the start of a game in the Men's Singles final match between Rafael Nadal of Spain and David Ferrer of Spain during day fifteen of the French Open at Roland Garros on June 9, 2013 in Paris, France. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
2013 French Open - Day Fifteen(28 of41)
PARIS, FRANCE - JUNE 09: A protester runs onto court with a lit flare before the start of a game in the Men's Singles final match between Rafael Nadal of Spain and David Ferrer of Spain during day fifteen of the French Open at Roland Garros on June 9, 2013 in Paris, France. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
2013 French Open - Day Fifteen(29 of41)
PARIS, FRANCE - JUNE 09: A security guard restrains a protester after he lit a flare and ran on court before the start of a game in the Men's Singles final match between Rafael Nadal of Spain and David Ferrer of Spain during day fifteen of the French Open at Roland Garros on June 9, 2013 in Paris, France. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
2013 French Open - Day Fifteen(30 of41)
PARIS, FRANCE - JUNE 09: Rafael Nadal of Spain looks on as security guards restrain a protester after he lit a flare and ran on court before the start of a game in the Men's Singles final match between Rafael Nadal of Spain and David Ferrer of Spain during day fifteen of the French Open at Roland Garros on June 9, 2013 in Paris, France. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
French Open - Day Nine(31 of41)
PARIS - MAY 31: A protester jumps over the centre court net during the quarter-final match between Mary Pierce of France and Lindsay Davenport of USA during the ninth day of the French Open at Roland Garros on May 31, 2005 in Paris, France. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
2013 French Open - Day Fifteen(32 of41)
PARIS, FRANCE - JUNE 09: A protester runs onto court with a lit flare before the start of a game in the Men's Singles final match between Rafael Nadal of Spain and David Ferrer of Spain during day fifteen of the French Open at Roland Garros on June 9, 2013 in Paris, France. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
2013 French Open - Day Fifteen(33 of41)
PARIS, FRANCE - JUNE 09: A security guard restrains a protester after he lit a flare and ran on court before the start of a game in the Men's Singles final match between Rafael Nadal of Spain and David Ferrer of Spain during day fifteen of the French Open at Roland Garros on June 9, 2013 in Paris, France. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
2013 French Open - Day Fifteen(34 of41)
PARIS, FRANCE - JUNE 09: A protester runs onto court with a lit flare before the start of a game in the Men's Singles final match between Rafael Nadal of Spain and David Ferrer of Spain during day fifteen of the French Open at Roland Garros on June 9, 2013 in Paris, France. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
2013 French Open - Day Fifteen(35 of41)
PARIS, FRANCE - JUNE 09: A security guard restrains a protester after he lit a flare and ran on court before the start of a game in the Men's Singles final match between Rafael Nadal of Spain and David Ferrer of Spain during day fifteen of the French Open at Roland Garros on June 9, 2013 in Paris, France. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
2013 French Open - Day Fifteen(36 of41)
PARIS, FRANCE - JUNE 09: A security guard restrains a protester after he lit a flare and ran on court before the start of a game in the Men's Singles final match between Rafael Nadal of Spain and David Ferrer of Spain during day fifteen of the French Open at Roland Garros on June 9, 2013 in Paris, France. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
2013 French Open - Day Fifteen(37 of41)
PARIS, FRANCE - JUNE 09: Protesters shout slogans at the top of Court Philippe Chatrier during the Men's Singles final match between Rafael Nadal of Spain and David Ferrer of Spain on day fifteen of the French Open at Roland Garros on June 9, 2013 in Paris, France. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
2013 French Open - Day Fifteen(38 of41)
PARIS, FRANCE - JUNE 09: Protesters are ushered down the stairs from the top of Court Philippe Chatrier after they started shouting slogans and held a banner aloft during the Men's Singles final match between Rafael Nadal of Spain and David Ferrer of Spain on day fifteen of the French Open at Roland Garros on June 9, 2013 in Paris, France. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
2013 French Open - Day Fifteen(39 of41)
PARIS, FRANCE - JUNE 09: Protesters shout slogans and hold a banner aloft at the top of Court Philippe Chatrier during the Men's Singles final match between Rafael Nadal of Spain and David Ferrer of Spain on day fifteen of the French Open at Roland Garros on June 9, 2013 in Paris, France. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
2013 French Open - Day Fifteen(40 of41)
PARIS, FRANCE - JUNE 09: Protesters shout slogans at the top of Court Philippe Chatrier during the Men's Singles final match between Rafael Nadal of Spain and David Ferrer of Spain on day fifteen of the French Open at Roland Garros on June 9, 2013 in Paris, France. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
2013 French Open - Day Fifteen(41 of41)
PARIS, FRANCE - JUNE 09: A security guard restrains a protester after he lit a flare and ran on court before the start of a game in the Men's Singles final match between Rafael Nadal of Spain and David Ferrer of Spain during day fifteen of the French Open at Roland Garros on June 9, 2013 in Paris, France. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
He was shielded by a security guard as the incident was dealt with.
The crowd whistled and jeered obviously frustrated with the interruption.
In 1993 female tennis star, Monica Seles, was stabbed in the back by 39-year-old Gunter Parche who broke onto the court.