The US Open semi-final match between Coco Gauff and Karolína Muchová took an unexpected turn when climate protesters made their voices heard, temporarily interrupting the game at Arthur Ashe Stadium. The disruption occurred early in the second set, with one protester going to great lengths to convey their message, even gluing their feet to the stadium floor.
Coco Gauff was leading the match, having won the first set and was holding her serve at the beginning of the second set when the disturbance unfolded. Shouting and commotion from the upper sections of the stadium disrupted play. Players and spectators alike turned their attention to the stands.
Security swiftly responded, and more than a dozen law enforcement officers arrived to address the disturbance. Three protesters were removed from the stadium by the New York Police Department officers. However, one protester presented an additional challenge as they had glued their bare feet to the concrete beneath their seat. Medics were called in to safely remove this protester, further delaying the match.
After 49 minutes of disruption, the remaining activist was finally removed, allowing the players, who had retreated to the dressing rooms during the commotion, to return to the court. Chants of “Kick them out! Kick them out!” had echoed through Arthur Ashe Stadium during the protest.
Photographs from the scene depicted the protesters wearing shirts with the slogan “End Fossil Fuels.”
In total, four protesters were removed and taken into NYPD custody, according to the US Tennis Association. Of these, three were escorted out without further incident.
Stacey Allaster, the tournament director, confirmed that one protester had taken the extraordinary step of gluing their bare feet to the stadium floor. She acknowledged that environmental protests occasionally use such platforms and mentioned that security measures would be reviewed to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Remarkably, Coco Gauff, who eventually won the match with a score of 6-4, 7-5, harbored no ill feelings toward the protesters. She noted that the disruption was carried out peacefully, saying, “It was done in a peaceful way, so I can’t get too mad at it.” Gauff did express a preference for better timing, given her momentum in the match.
The climate protest group Extinction Rebellion claimed responsibility for the disruption. Miles Grant, a spokesperson for the group, emphasized the urgency of the climate crisis, stating, “The climate is already more disruptive than any activists can possibly be.”
The disruption at the US Open mirrored a growing concern in the world of sports, where extreme weather conditions and rising temperatures are affecting both players and spectators. This year’s tournament in New York faced challenges posed by a late summer heatwave, prompting discussions about player safety.
Climate protests are becoming a visible and impactful part of major sporting events, emphasizing the need for climate action and environmental responsibility on a global scale.
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