NEW YORK.- The semifinal of the US Open between Coco Gauff and Karolina Muchova was interrupted at the beginning of the second set due to protests by climate activists in the stands of Arthur Ashe Stadium on Thursday. One of the protesters glued his feet to the cement.
Gauff led 6-4, 1-0 when play was interrupted. The delay lasted almost 50 minutes.
Tournament referee Jake Garner entered the court, while security personnel headed toward the protesters.
Activists wore T-shirts reading “End Fossil Fuels.” At least one person glued their feet to the concrete surface with glue, making it difficult to remove, according to Stacey Allaster, the tournament director.
At least two protesters were quickly removed from the stands. Moments later, half a dozen police officers arrived, cheered by fans near the section where the interruption occurred. Spectators were asked to move away to give the police officers space.
Reactions and protests at the US Open
Gauff sat in his chair for a while and ate some fruit from a container. The American made rallies and serves. The Czech Muchova received care from the physiotherapist during the game stoppage.
Eventually, both players withdrew to the locker room due to the lengthy delay. Gauff sat on a treadmill, chatting with members of his team.
This incident adds to recent protests at sporting events, especially tennis, against the use of fossil fuels.
At Wimbledon last July, two matches were disrupted when activists stormed Court 18 and threw orange confetti onto the grass.
The Gauff-Muchova was the first confrontation of the night.
The other semifinal, between the Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka and the American Madison Keys, was scheduled for after the end of Gauff-Muchova.
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2023-09-08 03:40:49
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