"It's three kids!' Brad Gilbert screams pointing at spectators interrupting semi-final play between Gauff and Muchova
ATPFriday, 08 September 2023 at 18:13
Coco Gauff
was leading the match against Karolina Muchova at the US Open when it was
interrupted by protesters.
The
19-year-old tennis sensation has been the favorite of the American audience, as
they hope for a new local champion after a five-year drought. Gauff has had an
impeccable run at the US Open, securing victories against players like the 32nd
seed Elise Mertens, former world No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki, and the 20th seed
Jelena Ostapenko.
In pursuit
of her second Grand Slam final, following her defeat to Iga Swiatek in the 2022
French Open, Gauff was leading the match against the Czech and world No. 10
Karolina Muchova, taking the first set.
Although
the American had a 5-1 advantage with two breaks in her favor, Muchova mounted
a comeback by recovering the breaks. However, Gauff managed to secure the set
6-4, despite the Czech's spirited fight.
At the
beginning of the second set, with the score at 1-0 in Gauff's favor, the match
was interrupted by shouts from protesters in the stands. The interruption
lasted for a few minutes, with both players sitting and waiting.
Clearly
frustrated by the delay, Muchova and Gauff left the court and headed to the
locker rooms. The audience also began to boo the situation and the protesters,
who were reportedly three children protesting (about climate change), as Brad
Gilbert mentioned.
The delay
occurred as the police were called to control the situation, and the official
announcement inside Arthur Ashe stated, "Play is suspended. We are trying
to solve a problem in the crowd."
The match
will resume as soon as the organizers control the situation, and the players
return to the court. In such cases of suspension in the middle of a match, the
players are allowed three minutes of warm-up, and they will resume play from
the same point and service as it was before the suspension.
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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