Coco Gauff’s semifinal match at the U.S. Open faced a significant delay when three environmental protesters disrupted the game. The protesters, wearing shirts that read “end fossil fuels,” stood up and began chanting, causing an interruption in the match. While two of the protesters were quietly removed, one protester had glued his feet to the floor and refused to leave, resulting in a lengthy delay.
Gauff was taken aback by the situation and immediately went over to speak with her team. She could be heard asking if she could leave the court, but at that moment, the answer was “No.” She described the situation as a “hostage situation” as negotiations were taking place to resolve the protest.
Eventually, Gauff and her opponent, Karolina Muchova, were allowed to leave the court to collect themselves. Broadcasters Chrissy Evert and Cliff Drysdale had to fill the time during the delay, speculating about the impact it would have on the players and when they would be able to resume the match. The interruption occurred 50 minutes into the match.
After a lengthy 50-minute delay, the match finally resumed with Gauff leading one game in the second set after winning the first. The players had to regroup and refocus after the unexpected disruption caused by the protesters.
This is not the first time that environmental activists have disrupted tennis matches. Earlier this year at Wimbledon, matches were delayed when activists leapt from the stands and scattered orange confetti on the grass to protest the use of fossil fuels. Similarly, at a U.S. Open tune-up event last month, about a dozen people chanted and displayed signs decrying the reliance on fossil fuels.
These incidents highlight the growing concern and activism surrounding climate change and the need for action to reduce reliance on fossil fuels. While protests during sporting events can create disruptions and delays, they also serve as a platform to raise awareness and spark conversations about important global issues.
As the U.S. Open continues, players and organizers will need to be prepared for potential disruptions and find ways to balance the importance of the game with the need to address pressing environmental concerns.
Original Story at deadline.com – 2023-09-08 00:58:00
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