WATCH: Court invasion in the final of the Halle Open raises questions about players’ security in tennis

WATCH: Court invasion in the final of the Halle Open raises questions about players’ security in tennis

The Invader at ATP Halle Open

The final of the ATP Halle Open began with Hubert Hurkacz taking a 5-0 lead in the first set against the world number 1, Daniil Medvedev. Before the first set could be concluded, the match had to stop due to an on-court intervention by a climate change activist. It was a similar invasion as the French Open semifinal between Casper Ruud and Marin Cilic. There a climate change activist entered the court, tied herself to the net, and was able to stick her hand to the net post before the security details could get a clue as to what was going on.

Though the intervention by the activist didn’t affect the momentum of the game at all as Hurkacz took the first set 6-1 and with a 6-4 in the second set, was able to demolish Medvedev and claim his fifth ATP title and his first on grass. Hurkacz had the easiest time of the tournament in his match against Medvedev as the top seed again collapsed in the final.

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Second court invasion in a month, this time at the Halle Open

Guard fell down twice in removing the invader
Guard fell down twice in removing the invader

The security detail at the Halle Open was a bit better than at the French Open, where the invader was able to complete her objective. This time again a climate change activist with ‘3 years left’ on her shirt tried to do the same thing. But here, before she could tie herself to the net, security personnel came and was able to prevent her from doing so, but she ran to the other net post to try again but was tackled again by the guard. Though it took a second personnel’s help to subdue an assailant who was smaller than the first security personnel.

https://twitter.com/tezzagotbagged/status/1538516654866432000?s=20&t=wErZAblFindM9HSDyIC81A

Though there were some hilarious moments as the first guard took two tumbles before they could get the woman out of the court, it raises a serious question about the player’s safety. If an individual can reach the court that easily, what will be the consequence when one of the assailants ever tries to harm a player, it would not be very hard given the current security measures on the tour. So, the ATP and WTA need to enforce stricter security measures to prevent any such incidents.

Also Read: “It’s not easy to be next to me” Daniil Medvedev apologizes to his wife after losing in the Halle Open finals

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