Video: Play suspended at ATP Challenger event in Congo due to gunshots in the vicinity

In one of the more bizarre incidents to happen during the 2025 ATP season, a match was suspended as gunfire erupted close to the stadium at an ATP Challenger Tour level event.

Lower-ranked tennis players often compete on the ATP Challenger Tour in an attempt to earn points, enabling them to climb the rankings ladder and gain access to main draw ATP events. Sometimes well-known players will go back to the Challenger Tour following a long hiatus from tennis, in an attempt to regain their form and fitness.

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Sporadic gunfire puts a stop to proceedings

These events are often held in different continents all over the world, with the locations lacking the resources and facilities employed by ATP-level tournaments.

During a Challenger event in Congo, Dutchman Guy Den Ouden and Russian Ivan Denisov battling it out on the clay court. With Den Ouden up a set and Denisov to serve in the second set, gunshots broke out nearby, causing people around the stadium to scream and take off in fear.

Both players seemed confused at the commotion, before making their way off the court as the match was postponed. The match would eventually resume after several minutes, with Den Ouden recording a 6-1 6-3 victory.

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