During the U.S. Open Semifinal match between Coco Gauff and Karolina Muchova, there was a temporary halt of approximately 50 minutes due to disruption by environmental activists on Thursday night. The incident took place in the Arthur Ashe Stadium and garnered attention as one protester went to great lengths by gluing their bare feet to the concrete floor.
At the time of the interruption, Gauff was leading 6-4, 1-0 in the second set. Security personnel and later, a group of police officers, approached the three protesters, who were wearing shirts bearing the message “End Fossil Fuels.” While two of the activists were quickly escorted out of the stadium, removing the person with glued feet proved to be a more time-consuming task. Spectators were requested to move aside to allow the police to clear a path, and they were cheered on by fans seated nearby.
NYPD is now surrounding the one remaining protestor as they attempt to remove him from his seat in the loge.#USOpen pic.twitter.com/gNkPI0dEHl
— The Tennis Podcast (@TennisPodcast) September 8, 2023
One of the protesters, identifying himself only as Ian, explained that they aimed to hold the U.S. Open accountable for its sponsorship connections to major corporations with policies contributing to global warming.
During the disruption, Gauff took a break, sitting on her sideline bench, enjoying some fruit from a plastic container, and even practicing a few serves with tennis balls. Muchova also received a brief visit from a trainer.
This incident is part of trending protests at sporting events, particularly in the world of tennis, which focuses on concerns about fossil fuel usage and the environmental hazards it creates.
Just a few months ago, Wimbledon experienced interruptions when environmental activists scattered orange confetti on the grass court during two matches at Court 18. Similarly, a U.S. Open tune-up tournament in Washington last month saw around a dozen individuals asked to leave the venue for chanting and displaying signs protesting fossil fuel use.
Both Gauff and Muchova were making their first appearance in the U.S. Open semifinals, when this disruption briefly stole the spotlight.
