Gauff not gutted by mid-match climate protest

Coco Gauff suspected that the US Open would not be immune to climate protests such as the one which interrupted her 6-3, 7-5 semi-final win over Karolina Muchova for nearly an hour on Thursday..

The 19-year-old said that after climate actions at the French Open and Wimbledon, the US Open just had to be next.

The incident came with Gauff up a set and a game as one of four protestors high up in the stadium glued his bare feet to the cement floor.

“I definitely, I believe, you know, in climate change, but I don’t really know exactly what they were protesting,” the 19-year-old said.

“I know it was about the environment. I 100 per cent believe in that. I think there are things we can do better.”

But she added: “Would I prefer it not happening in my match? 100 per cent. I’m not gonna sit here and lie… but it is what it is.”

Gauff said her gut instinct was correct. 

“I had a feeling it was going to happen at this tournament. It happened in the French Open, it happened in Wimbledon.

“Following the trend, it was definitely going to happen here. Honestly I thought we made it through.

“Moments like this are history-defining moments. I wasn’t pissed at the protesters. 

“I know the stadium was because it just interrupted (the) entertainment.”

Main photo:- EXCLUSIVE PICTURE- Antifossil fuel eco terrorists one of whom glued himself to the concrete floor on Arthur Ashe court surrounded by NYPD Cops, after delaying the Coco Gauff v Karolina Muchova semi final by 45 minutes by Roger Parker International Sports Fotos Ltd