JUST IN <\/strong> Protesters cause Coco Gauff semi-final chaos as Alcaraz breaks rules[LIVE] <\/strong><\/p>\n The 2022 French Open finalist told ESPN: \u201cThe crazy thing is that this morning I told myself: \u2018I bet there is going to be a climate change protest in the final\u2019. I didn\u2019t think it would be in the semi-final. Immediately when it happened, I told the ref it was a protest. And out of the court I was talking to Karolina and she said: \u2018How did you recognise it was a protest so fast?\u2019<\/p>\n “And I said: \u2018I don\u2019t know – something this morning told me that it was going to happen this weekend but I thought it was going to be in the final\u2019. And I just treated it like a rain delay. So many times in tennis we stop. In DC people were passing out, even in Cincinnati so I just treated it like that. The only thing that was harder was that we had to leave the court. We didn\u2019t know. The security guard said it could be five minutes or it could be an hour so we didn\u2019t know how to warm up and prepare. I didn\u2019t know whether to eat or not. I just treated it like a rain delay to be honest.<\/p>\n We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info<\/p>\n Don’t miss… <\/strong> US Open tennis makes its long-awaited return to Sky Sports and it’s certainly not something to be missed.<\/p>\n Sky Sports subscribers on Sky Glass, Sky Stream, Sky Q, and the Sky Sports app will be able to watch all courts for the first time on Sky Sports.<\/p>\n Want to watch the US Open Tennis but don’t own Sky?<\/p>\n Never fear as you can get Sky Glass, Sky TV, Netflix for \u00a314 a month for six months – thanks to a limited time deal.<\/p>\n You can also get six months Sky Sports completely free.<\/p>\n \u201cI just felt like something was going to happen this weekend because they did it at the French Open, they did it at Wimbledon. So I was like: \u2018Nothing has happened at the US Open yet.\u2019 I was thinking: \u2018Well, maybe the trend will continue so that is what I was thinking about.\u201d<\/p>\n An environmental activist tied and glued herself to the net on Court Philippe Chatrier at the 2022 French Open and held up the semi-final between Casper Ruud and Marin Cilic by 15 minutes. And after the Snooker World Championships and Test cricket were targeted this summer, Just Stop Oil protesters twice interrupted play by throwing orange-coloured confetti and jigsaw pieces on Court 18.<\/p>\n USTA chief executive Stacey Allaster said: \u201cThere\u2019s no doubt in a 24,000-seat stadium people get ideas. We know in these large events environmental protestors use the platform. Certainly security will be resuming \u2013 along with law enforcement \u2013 to see what we can do to prevent it in the future.\u201d<\/p>\n Czech No.10 seed Muchova said: \u201cIt obviously changed the rhythm a little bit and, yeah, what can we do about it? People.\u201d<\/p>\n A US Open statement read: \u201cFollowing the first game of the second set in the Gauff-Muchova match, play was halted due to a protest conducted by four spectators. Three of the four protesters were escorted out of the stadium without further incident. The fourth protester affixed their bare feet to the floor of the seating bowl. Due to the nature of this action, NYPD and medical personnel were needed in order to safely remove this individual from the stadium. The four protesters were taken into NYPD custody.\u201d<\/p>\n In total, 49 minutes elapsed before play resumed. Sabalenka came back from losing the first set 6-0 to beat Madison Keys and will now take on another American in the final.<\/p>\n Gauff, who made a heart sign with her hands to the crowd at the end of the match, said in her courtside interview: \u201cSome of those points were so loud. I don\u2019t know if my ears are going to be ok. No – be louder. This is crazy. I grew up watching this tournament so much it means a lot to be in the final. But the job is not done. Hopefully you can back me on Saturday.\u201d<\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/cdn.images.express.co.uk\/img\/dynamic\/72\/590x\/secondary\/Coco-Gauff-US-Open-protest-4949206.jpg?r=1694155082900\")
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