The NYPD have pledged to step up security for the rest of the US Open – with more plain-clothes officers deployed to spot potential trouble – after Coco Gauff’s semi-final win was disrupted by climate activists.
The police needed to use acetone to release the feet of one protester who glued his feet to the floor of the Arthur Ashe Stadium.
A USTA spokesperson said: “Four people remain in custody. The NYPD have reviewed the incident, and have committed to a greater plain-clothes presence on the gates and just outside. We are also expecting more uniformed officers inside the grounds, and we will be reminding patrons to report any unusual behaviour via messages on the screens.”
It comes after Gauff’s semi-final victory against Karolina Muchova was delayed for 49 minutes while the police removed the eco-warrior. Fans in the 23,000-strong Arthur Ashe Stadium chanted: “Kick them out,” as Three Extinction Rebellion campaigners wearing End Fossil Fuels T-shirts were also ejected.
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The protest came when the world No 6 was leading 6-4 1-0 in her maiden US Open semi-final. Gauff went on to win 6-4 7-5 and later said she supported the right to a peaceful protest. “Throughout history, moments like this are definitely defining moments. I believe in climate change. I think there are things we can do better. I know the tournaments are doing things to do better for the environment,” the politically active star said.
“I prefer it not to happen in my match but I wasn’t p**sed at the protesters. I know the stadium was because it just interrupted entertainment. I always speak about preaching about what you feel and what you believe in. It was done in a peaceful way, so I can’t get too mad at it. If that’s what they felt they needed to do to get their voices heard, I can’t really get upset at it.”
One of the protesters, who identified himself as Ian, has since told The Associated Press: “We are not trying to harm the athletes in any way.” The protester also claimed that the US Open has “sponsorship deals with corporations whose policies are contributing to global warming”.
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Ian added: “We have nothing against the sport. But we are really trying to draw attention to an issue here that there will be no tennis left for anybody in the world to enjoy.” It’s not the first time that a protest has paused play at a Grand Slam tournament.
An environmental activist tied and glued herself to the net at the 2022 French Open and Just Stop Oil protesters twice interrupted play at Wimbledon this year by throwing orange-coloured confetti and jigsaw pieces on Court 18.
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