Coco Gough’s US Open semifinal victory Karolina Muchova’s game was delayed 50 minutes Thursday night due to disturbances from four environmental activists in the stands at Arthur Ashe Stadium. A protester glues his bare feet to a concrete floor.
Gauff was leading 1-0 when the second set was suspended. She eventually won 6-4, 7-5.
“I always talk about preaching what you feel and what you believe in. It’s done in a peaceful way, so I can’t get too mad about it. Obviously, I don’t want that to happen in my 6-4, 1-0 win. I hope the momentum continues,” said Goff, a 19-year-old from Florida State. “But hey, if they feel like they need to do this in order for their voices to be heard, I’m not really bothered by that.”
Security guards followed by six police officers walked over to confront the protesters, who were wearing shirts that read “End Fossil Fuels.” The USTA said the three protesters were escorted out of the stadium without further incident, but it took longer to remove the person with their feet on the ground.
The USTA added that the NYPD and medical personnel were needed to safely remove the person. All four activists are in police custody.
Initially, Muchova said, she “thought the fans were screaming and cheering.”
A group called Extinction Rebellion said they were responsible for the protest.
One of the protesters, who identified himself as Ian, told the Associated Press that the group believes the U.S. Open has sponsorship deals with companies whose policies contribute to global warming.
“We don’t want to hurt the athletes in any way. We’re not against the sport,” he said. “But we do want to draw attention to the fact that there will no longer be tennis in the world for anyone to enjoy.”
spectators are asked to leave The road was cleared for the police, who were cheered by fans sitting near the area where the riots took place.
At halftime, Goff sat on the sideline bench for a while, eating fruit from a plastic container, then grabbed some tennis balls and hit a few practice serves. During the hiatus, a coach paid a brief visit to Muchova.
“We don’t know how long it’s going to take. We’re talking to supervisors and security. You know, they (say) it could be as quick as five minutes or as long as an hour,” Gough said. “It’s hard to figure out whether we’re staying warm or saving energy.”
Eventually, both players headed to the locker room as the delay continued. Goff sits on a treadmill with a towel draped over his lap, chatting with team members.
“I just wanted to get off the court and warm myself up a little bit, not just stand there,” Muchova said.
It is the latest in a string of recent protests linked to the use of fossil fuels at sporting events, notably tennis.
“Throughout history, moments like this are definitely defining moments. You know, I believe in climate change. I don’t really know what the hell they’re protesting. I know it’s about the environment. I believe in it 100 percent. I think There are some things we can do better,” Gauff said in his postgame news conference.
“I hope that doesn’t happen to my game — 100 percent, yes,” she said. “I’m not going to sit here and lie.”
july wimbledonDuring the game, environmental activists jumped from the stands on Court 18 and scattered orange confetti on the grass, interrupting two games.
In the US Open warm-up match washington tournament About a dozen people were asked to leave the site last month after chanting and displaying signs protesting the use of fossil fuels.
“We see it everywhere in certain venues. It’s not just tennis,” Muchova said. “That’s it. … What can we do about it?”
Both Goff and 27-year-old Czech player Muchova are participating in the semi-finals at Flushing Meadows for the first time.
Their game was the first game of the night. The other women’s semifinal, between Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus and Madison Keys of the United States, began shortly after Gauff’s victory. The game ended at 1:00 a.m. Sabalenka won 0-6, 7-6 (1), 7-6 (10-5) and reached his second Grand Slam final.
Gauff and Sabalenka will battle for the title at Ash on Saturday.
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