Bizarre scenes when the audience is forced out
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The match between Novak Djokovic and Matteo Berrettini was developing into a nail-biter.
In the middle of the fourth set, the quarterfinals of the French Open were interrupted hastily and hilariously.
– It is embarrassing. Strange times we live in, says Mats Wilander in Eurosport.
The French Open is the first sporting event in a very long time in France that allows audiences.
During the first week of the tennis tournament, the evening matches were played completely without an audience because the country had a curfew that begins to apply at 21.00.
But from today, Wednesday, that limit was extended to 23.00.
This meant that the quarter-final between world setter Novak Djokovic and world ninth Matteo Berrettini was the first evening match at the main arena, Court Philippe-Chatrier, to be played in front of an audience in the stands. It was estimated that about 5,000 people got to see the Serb go up in a secure 2-0 lead after the first two sets.
Strong reactions
Then the match changed shape. The Italian came back in the third, won the tiebreak and forced a fourth set strongly encouraged by the audience.
But in the middle of that set, almost three hours into the match, at the position 3-2 Djokovic, the referee forced the players off the field.
—-The referee forced the players out …
–Photo: Clive Brunskill / Getty Images Europe–
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—-… and the audience had to go home.
–Photo: Clive Brunskill / Getty Images Europe–
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The clock had struck 22.55 in Paris and the audience would be forced home so as not to break the rules.
In Eurosport’s broadcast, Mats Wilander and host Barbara Schett were completely unaware of what had happened.
– It’s an embarrassing moment. The judge tells the spectators that they are forced to leave because there is a curfew. This is a situation I have never seen before, says Schett and is supported by the Swede.
– The French are famous for protesting and that is what is happening. You have to listen to the expertise, but it’s embarrassing. Strange times we live in, he says.
Resumed after 30 minutes
The message was met with loud cries and protests. Several spectators refused to leave the arena and it took over half an hour before it could be emptied.
– I’m shocked. I do not know what to say. it’s weird and ridiculous. It’s not a million people but a couple of thousand. One should give them exceptions in an hour or so. I understand the audience and the players. An elderly gentleman refused to leave. His friends eventually forced with him, testifies Eurosport expert Micha Zverev on the spot at Court Philippe-Chatrier.
Eventually could be resumed again, then in front of completely empty doctors. The world setter later took it all home with 3-1 in sets after 7-5 in the last and is now ready for the semifinals where Rafael Nadal is waiting.
– It was very, very difficult in the end. We lost some energy when the audience left. I am very happy about the victory, says the Serb afterwards.
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