Fury as eco-zealots halt US Open semi final as one glues himself to floor

8 September 2023, 08:00

Eco zealots halted the semi final
Eco zealots halted the semi final. Picture: Alamy

By Emma Soteriou

Extinction Rebellion activists sparked fury on Thursday as they halted the women's semi final at the US Open.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

Three protesters brought the intense game between Coco Guaff and Karolina Muchova to a halt for almost an hour as they chanted "end fossil fuels" and donned tops with the same slogan.

American teenager Gauff and Czech 10th seed Muchova initially stayed on the court for about 10 minutes while security tried to deal with the situation.

The Arthur Ashe crowd at one point began chanting "kick them out" with the protesters apparently being difficult to shift.

One of them went as far as to glue his feet to the concrete in protest.

Read more: A player is 'going to die': Tennis star Medvedev sounds alarm at US Open during '35C' humid match

Read more: Tennis player Alexander Zverev stops play to demand fan is removed from the US Open arena over Adolf Hitler slur

"Are they like talking to them or are they going to remove them?" Gauff asked chair umpire Alison Hughes and tournament referee Jake Garner.

She then spoke to her coach, Brad Gilbert, saying "they say they are negotiating, like it's a hostage situation. What should I do?"

Both players eventually left the court with Gauff leading 6-4 1-0.

After 50 minutes of chaos, the Extinction Rebellion activists were finally thrown out of the stadium, with spectators booing and shouting "You suck!" and "F*** you".

Gauff won the match, making it through to her first US Open final after a 6-4 7-5 victory.

The disruption came just days after another spectator was thrown out after using an Adolf Hitler slur during a match between Alexander Zverev and Jannik Sinner.

The players were embroiled in a fourth round tie in New York on Monday night when the game was paused due to the racial slur being shouted from the crowd.

Zverev - the German No.12 seed - stopped play just seconds before a point and approached the umpire.

He said: "He just said the most famous Hitler phrase there is. It is unacceptable."

British umpire James Keothavong went on to turn in his chair to directly address the audience, asking the culprit to identify themselves.

Security were later seen talking to a middle-aged man and before leading him away.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Harry and Meghan at the opening ceremony for the Invictus Games.

Meghan and Prince Harry cheer on Team UK at Invictus Games opening ceremony

Daisy the Labrador.

Stolen dog reunited with family after seven years

Irish boxer John Cooney.

Boxer dies from a brain bleed, from injury during championship fight

'Make Europe Great Again' Rally In Madrid

'Make Europe Great Again': Far-right European political leaders praise Trump at Madrid meeting

Kanye West.

Rapper Kanye West advertises t-shirt featuring a Nazi swastika, after 'antisemitic rampage' on X

Andrew Gwynne.

Minister sacked after posting he hoped 'pensioner who didn’t vote Labour would die' in WhatsApp group

Police officers hold back protesters trying to block the road.

Two arrested as protesters clash with police outside proposed site for new Chinese ‘mega-embassy’ in London

Duke and Duchess of Sussex.

'She's terrible': Trump takes swipe at Meghan, but will not deport Prince Harry

Freed Palestinian prisoners are greeted by a crowd as they arrive in the Gaza Strip after being released from an Israeli prison following a ceasefire agreement between Hamas and Israel in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip.

Emotional scenes in West Bank and Gaza as Palestinians reunited with their families after release from Israeli prisons

Elsie Dot Stancombe, Alice Dasilva Aguiar and Bebe King.

'She was grateful for life': parents of Southport stabbing victims pay tribute to their children

Israeli hostage reunited with his family.

Emotional moment Israeli hostages reunite with families after being paraded on stage by Hamas

Police officers hold back protesters trying to block the road at the rally.

Protesters clash with police as thousands rally outside proposed site for new Chinese ‘mega-embassy’ in London

The father of the Huszti sisters has said he believes his daughters were "kidnapped" and "cruelly killed"

Heartbroken father of sisters found dead in River Dee believes they were 'lured to their death'

Hollyoaks star and country singer thought to be son of British couple shot dead in French villa ‘by UK gangsters’

Hollyoaks star breaks silence over death of mum found dead in French villa with her husband

Harvey Willgoose's parents Caroline Willgoose (left) and Mark (right) holder a banner as they march to Bramall Lane in memory of their son

Hundreds gather for memorial march after 15-year-old Harvey Willgoose stabbed to death at school in Sheffield

Police tell locals to stay away from Jeremy Clarkson’s pub due to large gathering of pony and traps

Police tell locals to stay away from Jeremy Clarkson’s pub due to large gathering of pony and traps