A protester drew attention at the US Open on Thursday night by gluing his bare feet to the concrete stands, resulting in a nearly one-hour delay of Coco Gauff’s semifinal match.
The unusual incident occurred shortly after Gauff began her match against Karolina Muchova at Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York, when a group of four environmental activists caused a disruptive scene in the crowd.
The activists, wearing t-shirts with the message “End Fossil Fuels,” began chanting, causing authorities to quickly intervene and address the situation.
Three of the protesters were swiftly taken into custody, but the fourth protester required approximately 49 minutes to be freed from the floor due to the adhesive used on their feet.
Fortunately, officials were eventually able to remove the protester and resume the match.
Despite the interruption, Gauff managed to stay focused and went on to defeat Muchova, securing her place in the tournament’s final. She will face Aryna Sabalenka on Saturday to compete for the championship.
This protest is not the first incident of disruption in tennis this year. In July, several individuals rushed the court at Wimbledon, throwing confetti and causing a temporary halt in play.
More disruption at #Wimbledon! Another Just Stop Oil protester gets onto Court 18 with a jigsaw and confetti! @BBCSport pic.twitter.com/A1H2OmXANY
— Sanny Rudravajhala 📻📺📝 (@Sanny_Rudra) July 5, 2023
@Sanny_Rudra
During the incident at the US Open, the protesters expressed their discontent with certain event sponsors whom they believe have contributed to global warming.
FAQs
What caused the delay in Coco Gauff’s match at the US Open?
A protester glued his feet to the concrete stands, which resulted in a significant delay of Coco Gauff’s match.
Who were the protesters and what were they protesting?
The protesters were environmental activists wearing t-shirts that said “End Fossil Fuels.” They were expressing their concern about certain event sponsors that they believe contribute to global warming.
How long did it take to remove the glued protester?
It took approximately 49 minutes to free the protester who had glued their feet to the floor.
Did the interruption affect Coco Gauff’s performance?
Despite the delay, Coco Gauff stayed focused and went on to win her match against Karolina Muchova.
What other disruptions have occurred in tennis this year?
Earlier this year at Wimbledon, there was another disruption when individuals rushed the court, causing a temporary halt in play.
Conclusion
The US Open semifinal match between Coco Gauff and Karolina Muchova experienced a significant delay due to a protester gluing their feet to the concrete stands. Despite the interruption, Gauff remained focused and emerged victorious, advancing to the tournament’s final. Tennis has seen several disruptions this year, including the incident at Wimbledon where individuals rushed the court. As the sport continues to gain attention, it becomes important to address social and environmental concerns raised by protesters.
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