In a stunning disruption at one of tennis's most prestigious tournaments, four climate activists brought play to a grinding halt during the US Open women's semi-final on Thursday night. The protesters stormed the court at New York's Arthur Ashe Stadium and glued their bare feet to the concrete floor, creating a chaotic and unprecedented security breach.
The incident occurred during the second set of American favourite Coco Gauff's match against Karolina Muchova. Play was suspended for nearly an hour as security and police worked to carefully remove the individuals, one of whom was also seen wearing a T-shirt bearing the slogan 'End Fossil Fuels'.
Spectators initially reacted with a mix of confusion and anger, loudly booing the protesters as they were escorted from the arena. The atmosphere, however, shifted dramatically when play resumed. The crowd erupted in a massive roar of support for Gauff, who used the extended break to refocus and ultimately secure her place in the final.
An Unprecedented Security Breach
The breach raises serious questions about security protocols at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. For activists to make it onto the court itself, bypassing multiple layers of security, is a significant event. A tournament spokesman confirmed that NYPD officers took three of the protesters into custody, while a fourth was issued a summons for trespassing.
This is not the first time sporting events have been targeted by climate groups. Similar tactics have been used at the Wimbledon tennis championships, major league baseball games, and the World Snooker Championship in the UK, highlighting a growing trend of using high-profile sports to draw attention to the climate crisis.
Gauff's Grace Under Pressure
For 19-year-old Coco Gauff, the disruption could have been a major distraction. Instead, she handled the situation with remarkable composure. After the match, she stated, "I always speak about preaching about what you feel and what you believe in. It was done in a peaceful way, so I can't get too mad at it."
Her ability to compartmentalise the event and channel the crowd's energy upon the restart demonstrated a maturity beyond her years, turning a moment of chaos into a springboard for victory.
