Watch: Taylor Fritz vs Andy Murray match halted briefly due to climate change protesters

The protesters threw large tennis balls with flames printed on them onto the court and unfurled banners calling on tournament sponsors Mubadala and Citi to stop funding the fossil fuel industry.

After winning the match against Murray 6-7(2) 6-3 6-4, Fritz said climate activists need to find a better way of protesting instead of “annoying” sports fans by interrupting events.

The Taylor Fritz/ Andy Murray match @mubadalacitidc
was just delayed due to protesters. They threw giant balls onto the court and held signs that read “Climate Disaster & “End Fossil Fuels”. @USParkPolice & tournament staff escorted them out, match resumed after 5 min@7NewsDC pic.twitter.com/XniKN3IPNw

— John Gonzalez (@John7News) August 4, 2023

“I get they’re protesting, but there’s just got to be a better way to do it. I don’t understand how people are going to get behind a cause when you’re ruining everyone else’s good time. Like, it doesn’t really make sense to me,” Fritz said.

“It’s annoying, obviously, when they do it. It’s ruining everyone’s time. Everyone wants to watch the tennis. I jokingly said, ‘Honestly, this makes me want to go fly on jets more. I think they’re supporting a good cause, but the way they’re doing it… Who’s going to want to listen when they’re just annoying everybody?” he addded.

Fritz returned in the evening to seal a 6-3 6-3 victory over Jordan Thompson to storm into the semi-finals, where he takes on Tallon Griekspoor.