2023-09-08 02:14:06
The first women’s semi-final at the US Open was interrupted for almost 50 minutes because of a protest by environmental activists in the spectator area. With the score of 6: 4, 1: 0 for the American Coco Gauff against Karolina Muchova from the Czech Republic, four spectators shouted slogans on Thursday evening (local time) in the upper tier of the Arthur Ashe Stadium, one of them stuck to the stands. They wore “End Fossil Fuels” t-shirts.
According to the organizers, three people were initially taken away in a statement. “When security arrived, one person was taped to the ground with bare feet,” tournament director Stacey Allaster told ESPN, explaining the long suspension. The New York police and medical staff were needed to remove the person from the stadium, it said. The man was taken away in handcuffs by police officers. All four people were in police custody, according to organizers.
In the meantime there had been an announcement in the stadium that “a problem in the spectator area” would be solved and the game should be continued as soon as possible. Gauff first practiced a few serves, Muchova was treated. Both players then went into the catacombs of the largest tennis stadium in the world. Numerous spectators chanted in the direction of the protesters: “Throw them out”.
After almost 45 minutes, the players came back on the pitch to the cheers of the spectators and warmed up again. At 8:55 p.m. (local time) and a break of almost 50 minutes, they resumed the game.
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