Protester sets fire to arm at Laver Cup

There was a dramatic start to the event that will see tennis great Roger Federer feature in his final match as a spectator rushed past security and set fire to his arm courtside during the opening session at London's famous O2 Arena.

Stefanos Tsitsipas and Diego Schwartzman were on the court for the Laver Cup at the time of the incident.

The former had just won the first set when the protester, wearing a shirt that read "End UK Private Jets", poured liquid on his right arm and set it ablaze with a lighter.

"It came out of nowhere. I have no idea what it's all about. I never had an incident like this happen on-court, so I hope he's all right," Tsitsipas exclaimed after defeating Schwartzman 6-2, 6-1.

The protester eventually extinguished the fire himself, but a small fire had gotten hold of the surface.

As the surface was being cleared, Tsitsipas spoke with the umpire.

"I wanted to proceed with that match without having any minor changes to the court, and I wanted to make sure it's playable, especially that area," said Tsitsipas. "It also got in my way in my viewing kind of experience of the court, the way I saw the court later. There was a big mark over there, and I wanted it to be cleaned up in order for me to proceed the way I did before."