'Your white privilege is epic': Fans SAVAGE tennis star John Isner after Trump-supporting ace labels protesters 'pathetic losers'

John Isner has sparked a bitter row with fans after urging police to arrest people protesting over the death of George Floyd in the US, labeling crowds near the White House "anarchist losers" who are "absolutely pathetic."

The giant former Grand Slam semi-finalist, known for his marathon matches and 6ft10 frame, was incensed by footage from a news report that appeared to show police letting off tear gas and pepper spray at St John’s Episcopal church in an attempt to quell protests.

Shortly afterwards, US president Donald Trump walked across the street to the church, where heads of state have worshipped for almost 200 years, to pose for photographers while holding up a bible in a move that was later strongly denounced by religious leaders.

"This is absolutely pathetic," responded Isner to the crowd scenes, having also liked tweets reporting that UFC champion Jon Jones and NBA star JR Smith had been involved in confrontations with protestors. "Arrest these anarchist losers."

Discussing the escalating protests since the death of George Floyd at the hands of police, Isner's responses to outraged fans were as unswerving as his famous thunderous serve. "Why are you more angry about this - a disgusting act which I as a Christian hate as well - than black lives being taken away?" asked one.

"This isn’t just about George Floyd, this is about years and years of systematic racism that kills black men disproportionately."

The world number 21 shot back: "You have it all wrong. I’m angry that these riots are dishonoring those men and the men and women before them that have been victims of awful brutality. Shouldn’t be that hard to understand."

One supporter said that they had been appalled by Isner's behavior on Twitter despite "idolizing" the Texan from a young age. "Seeing you favorite the tweets you have and say the things you have is utterly disgusting and disturbing," they added.

Isner replied by insisting that he was only condemning rioting and looting. "What happened in Georgia and Minnesota is a massive stain on our great country," he argued. "It’s incomprehensible. I appreciate you being a fan."

The 35-year-old also criticized the "bold stance" of a respondent who told him that his views were "calling for death", repeated Trump's view that anti-fascist group Antifa are terrorists, claimed some protestors "couldn't tell you George Floyd's name" and told a commenter to "get your head out of your a***."

While some supporters offered their backing to Isner, others pointed to scathing remarks made by the Episcopal bishop of Washington, who voiced her disdain at the use of the church as a "prop" by Trump and said his message was "antithetical to the teachings of Jesus."

Isner's words echoed his remarks on Colin Kaepernick, the NFL star who caused controversy by choosing to snub a pre-match rendition of the national anthem as a protest over the treatment of people of color in the US in 2016.

“I thought it was pathetic from him,” he said at the time. “The cause he was going for, fine by me. He could have found some other ways to present his voice there. A lot of NBA players have done it, and good on them.”

Ismer seemed to show support for Trump during a press conference at Wimbledon 2018, when he threatened to break his own record by taking part in the second-longest match in tournament history during his mammoth semi-final defeat to Kevin Anderson.

"I’d love to have Trump come watch me," he said on his way to missing out on the final via a 26-24 fifth set defeat. "That would be awesome. Maybe I’ll tweet at him if I [reach the semi-finals]. I know a lot of people won’t like that. But I don’t care."