Multiple matches at the Italian Open were put on hold as protesters invaded two of the outer courts, while a third demonstration was stopped from happening on the Grand Stand.
Players including Madison Keys and Sorana Cirstea were compelled to retreat to the locker room following the disruptions.
The twin protests occurred within minutes of each other at the Foro Italico. Keys was ahead by a set and 3-1 when two demonstrators burst onto the court, scattering confetti.
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Jeers echoed around the Pietrangeli court as one protester donned a hi-vis jacket by the net before security guards rushed over and escorted him off the court. Keys and Cirstea observed from their benches.
Both players met at the net with the umpire while court attendants endeavoured to clear the confetti. However, it proved a challenging task with the pieces sticking in the clay, leading to the suspension of the match.
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(Image: (Image: Sky Sports))
Shortly after, a similar incident occurred on Court 12 during an ATP doubles match between fifth seeds Edouard Roger-Vasselin and Santiago Gonzalez, and Marcelo Arevalo and Mate Pavic, reports the Express.
Arevalo and Pavic were leading 6-1 4-2 when their game was also paused to allow for the confetti to be cleared. A near miss occurred on one of the larger show courts when another protest attempt was foiled in the stands.
Felix Auger-Aliassime and Alex De Minaur were all set to kick off their first-set tiebreak when they were unexpectedly held at their benches, with the umpire heard communicating with someone.
(Image: (Image: Sky Sports))
“Let’s just nip over to Grand Stand arena where Felix Auger-Aliassime and Alex De Minaur and are currently doing battle out there.
“They are just about to start a first-set tiebreaker here so I’m not entirely sure what the delay is for right now. Umpire Manuel Messina on the walkie talkie so clearly something has happened,” Adam Fielder commented on Sky.
“Just hearing there’s some protesters on the outside courts here in Rome so I don’t know whether it’s the case here on Grand Stand Arena but that is far from ideal if that’s the case.”