Coco Gauff and Karolina Muchova had to take an unexpected break midway through the second set of their 2023 US Open semifinal when protesters against climate change interrupted proceedings at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Gauff took the opener on Thursday and won the first set 6-4 quite comfortably. The American No. 2 was leading 1-0 on her serve in the second set when three fans on the top deck drew everyone’s attention with their loud chants.
The chair umpire initially asked the crowd to calm down, assuming that this was the usual noise from the stands. However, the trio did not fail, forcing players to quit the game.
“End fossil fuels,” the group of climate change protesters chanted loudly.
Security was then called to remove them from the stadium, but to no avail. One of the protesters, reportedly wearing an “End Fossil Fuels” T-shirt, stood his ground and refused to leave, even when NYPD officers stormed in.
Meanwhile, Coco Gauff and Karolina Muchova grew frustrated as the hiatus continued. Gauff and her team were extremely angry about the delay.
“They said they were on the phone, like this was a hostage situation. It’s like we’re negotiating. For example, why do you negotiate?” Gauff said.
“What a joke,” complained Gauff’s coach Brad Gilbert.
Finally, after nearly 45 minutes, the third protester was removed by police officers and escorted out of the stadium in handcuffs. He reportedly glued his feet to the ground, which explains why it took so long to remove him from the stands.
Aryna Sabalenka or Madison Keys await winner of Coco Gauff vs Karolina Muchova SF in US Open final
The winner of the semifinal between Coco Gauff and Karolina Muchova will face Aryna Sabalenka or Madison Keys in the final of the 2023 US Open on Saturday.
All four were previously Grand Slam finalists, with only Sabalenka knowing what it means to have won a Major. The Belarusian triumphed at the 2023 Australian Open to win her first Slam singles title, defeating Elena Rybakina.
Keys, meanwhile, is a former finalist at the US Open, reaching the title fight in 2017 before falling prey to compatriot Sloane Stephens. Gauff and Muchova are both former French Open finalists: the American in 2022 and the Czech in 2023. The duo both lost to Iga Swiatek in the championship battle.
Coco Gauff also competed in the women’s doubles and mixed doubles at Flushing Meadows these two weeks, partnering Jessica Pegula and Jack Sock respectively. She and Pegula lost in the quarterfinals, while Sock and Gauff fell in New York in the very first round.