Coco Gauff left outraged as protestors disrupted huge US Open game

Coco Gauff was left fuming as her 2023 US Open semi-final was halted by protesters, who she claimed treated her and Karolina Muchova 'like hostages'

14:16, Sun, Sep 1, 2024 | UPDATED: 14:20, Sun, Sep 1, 2024

Coco Gauff's semifinal against Karolina Machova was brought to a halt

Coco Gauff's semifinal against Karolina Machova was brought to a halt (Image: (Image: AP))

Coco Gauff's US Open semifinal against Karolina Muchova last year was brought to a standstill by protesters, causing chaos inside the Arthur Ashe Stadium. Three demonstrators donning 'End Fossil Fuels' T-shirts stood up and began chanting, leading to a suspension of play.

The disturbance started when Gauff was leading 6-4, 1-0 in her match, originating from the upper stands of the stadium. It quickly became apparent that three protesters were loudly chanting, refusing to cease until play had stopped. The volume of their shouting was so intense that Muchova couldn't serve. An early attempt by a steward to quieten them was simply ignored.

As the protesters persisted, the crowd turned against them with chants of 'Kick it out' reverberating around Arthur Ashe, but the protesters continued undeterred. Muchova initially used the interruption to seek medical help. She then collected her bags and exited the court.

Gauff's team encouraged her to remain on the court and keep warm as she narrated the situation. However, as the uproar continued, she too packed up and retreated to an exercise room.

"They said they're on the phone negotiating," Gauff commented on her way to the tunnel, likening the situation to a hostage scenario. The official US Open Twitter account posted: "NYPD are in the process of resolving a fan disturbance. Play will resume as soon as possible."

The protestors in question at the US Open

The protestors in question at the US Open (Image: (Image: AP))

Two of the demonstrators were physically escorted out by security, but one remained as he had glued himself to the floor. Eight NYPD officers soon surrounded the lone protester in the upper deck, handcuffed him and eventually led him out of the stands.

After approximately 30 minutes, with all protesters safely removed from the stadium, Gauff and Muchova were instructed to return to the court. Following a brief warm-up, play resumed - roughly 45 minutes after the initial disturbance.

One of the protesters, who identified himself only as Ian, stated their aim was to hold the U.S. Open accountable due to its sponsors being large corporations whose policies contribute to global warming.

DON'T MISS...

Machova leaves the court during the protests

Machova leaves the court during the protests (Image: (Image: AP))

"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 declared.

Despite the interruption, Gauff didn't let it deter her and went on to win the second set 7-5 and the match. Booking her place in the final which she won 2-6, 6-3, 6-2 against Aryna Sabalenka to claim her first Grand Slam title

Questions were asked about how protesters managed to breach such a high-profile event and slip through security. This isn't the first time protesters have caused disruption. At the British Open earlier last year, Just Stop Oil protesters disrupted play, leading golfer Billy Horschel to take matters into his own hands to help remove one of the disruptors.