(September 7, 2023) FLUSHING, NY – Three protestors wearing t-shirts which said “End Fossil Fuels” stopped play during the second set of the semifinal match between No. 6 Coco Gauff and No. 10 Karolina Muchova on Thursday night at the US Open. Gauff won the match 6-4, 7-5 to advance to her first US Open final.
One of the protestors glued their bare feet to the ground. The NYPD took the protestors into custody. Play was stopped for around 49 minutes while security and the police dealt with protestors.
From the USTA:
“Following the first game of the second set in the Gauff-Muchova match, play was halted due to a protest conducted by four spectators.
“Three of the four protesters were escorted out of the stadium without further incident. The fourth protester affixed their bare feet to the floor of the seating bowl. Due to the nature of this action, NYPD and medical personnel were needed in order to safely remove this individual from the stadium.
“The four protesters were taken into NYPD custody.
“In total, 49 minutes elapsed before play resumed.”
The Associated Press reported:
One of the protesters, who identified himself only as Ian, said they wanted the U.S. Open to be accountable because it has sponsors who are large corporations whose policies are contributing to global warming.
“We are not trying to harm the athletes in any way. We have nothing against the sport, but we are really trying to draw attention to an issue here that there will be no tennis left for anybody in the world to enjoy,” he said.
As it happened via X formerly known as Twitter:
