April 16, 1977: Davis Cup Tie Disrupted by Anti-Apartheid Protests in USA-South Africa Match

On April 16, 1977, a Davis Cup tennis match between the United States and South Africa was dramatically interrupted. Anti-apartheid demonstrators breached the court during the doubles match, bringing the competition to a halt. South Africa’s participation in international sports was a contentious issue for many years due to the country’s apartheid policies. In the weeks leading up to this particular tie, various protest groups had been actively campaigning for its cancellation.