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Victor Petkov
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Climate protesters interrupt Gauff – Muchova semi-final in New York
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The spectators were taken into NYPD custody

Climate protesters interrupted the US Open women’s semi-final between American Coco Gauff and Czech Karolina Muchova for nearly an hour on Thursday.

At the beginning of the second set as Gauff was leading 1-0, a disturbance erupted in the upper bowl of Arthur Ashe Stadium. As players looked into the stands, security flooded into the section around where protesters were shouting.

Players were escorted off the court by a USTA official and returned for a warm-up 45 minutes later before play resumed.

Several major sporting events have been targeted by climate groups this year already. ‘Just Stop Oil’ protesters interrupted play at Wimbledon in July, releasing orange ticker-tape mixed with jigsaw puzzle pieces during matches.

The USTA later issued a statement confirming four were taken into NYPD custody.

“Three of the four protesters were escorted out of the stadium without further incident,” said the USTA statement. “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.”