Environment-related protests disrupted the US Open semifinals between Coco Gauff and Karolina Muchova for over 45 minutes before the former finally prevailed to make it to the finals. One of the protesters even glued his feet to the floor, leading to the long delay.
Coco Gauff was one set up, and holding her serve in the 2nd when the protestors opened up in the upper part of the stadium. Their constant shouting disrupted play and held up the women’s semifinal game for almost an hour. Other spectators heckled them while the security personnel flooded into the stands to evict them. Police arrested 4 protestors and they are in NYPD custody. Overcoming the disturbance, Coco Gauff kept her cool and went on to win 6-4, 7-5. It is her first US Open final. She later said that the protestors could have timed their protests better though she held no animosity towards them.
Coco Gauff Not Upset At Disruption
She said that since it was a peaceful protest, there was no point in getting mad at them. Coco Gauff was 6-4, 1-0 up, and was keen to keep the momentum when the match was disrupted. But she added that if they felt that they needed to get themselves heard, she was not going to get upset about it.
A spectator for the protesting group, Extinction Rebellion, said that the climate was proving to be a greater disruptor than any protestors. The US Open was disrupted due to an excessive heatwave, causing Daniil Medvedev, the Russian player, to say that players could die due to the oppressive conditions. The Wimbledon too was disrupted by Just Stop Oil protestors who released ticker-tape at match venues.
The other semifinals were not so lucky for Americans as Coco Gauff’s fellow American Madison Keys lost her match to Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus 6-0, 6-7 (1), 6-7(10-5) in the following match which was marked by fluctuating fortunes. Coco Gauff will play her first US Open final.
