Tennis player Muchova stopped the match due to her ex in the stands: what happened.

Emotional incident at the US Open

According to The Sun: Karolina Muchova revealed that her emotional reaction during the second round of the US Open was triggered by the presence of her ex-boyfriend in the stands.

The match against Romanian Sorana Cirstea, which ended with the Czech winning 7-6, 6-7, 6-4, was overshadowed by the fact that her former lover was sitting 'opposite my bench'.

When Muchova was trailing 1-4 in the first set, she paused the game and pointed towards the stands, looking visibly upset and wiping away tears. She apologized to the umpire and her opponent for the delay.

Muchova, who reached the semifinals of the US Open last year, explained at a press conference in the Czech Republic that this man 'sometimes appears in places where he should not be'.

“Well... this is not related to tennis. So I don't want to talk about it. My ex-boyfriend was sitting opposite my bench. He sometimes shows up where he shouldn’t be. It scared me a little. I told him to leave, but he didn't go, although he eventually left. It was hard to concentrate at that moment,” she said.

Players who feel threatened or uncomfortable can contact the WTA or the United States Tennis Association (USTA) to request that certain individuals be banned from obtaining tickets or accreditation.

However, in this case, it is not reported that Muchova requested to ban her ex-boyfriend from entering Flushing Meadows.

The tennis player, who defeated 45-year-old Venus Williams in the first round, will play against Ukrainian Marta Kostyuk on Monday. The winner of this match will advance to the quarterfinals.

After her victory over Czech Linda Noskova, she noted: “Yes, I’m fine. I haven’t made any statements and everything is okay.”

Security questions at the tournament

When asked if she feels safe on the court in New York, Muchova replied: “Yes, yes, I feel fine.”

Before this year's tournament, a USTA representative stated that “the safety of players is a critical element of our planning and execution of the US Open.”

“Our comprehensive security plan includes protocols and procedures to effectively manage risks and issues. We work closely with ATP, WTA, ITF, ITIA, and other Grand Slam tournaments to stay updated on all relevant situations and concerns. The US Open is in constant communication with local and federal law enforcement agencies who also maintain a presence at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. We use both physical and technological means to monitor and support security, including online threats to players.”

This incident only emphasizes the importance of the issue of security at sporting events, where many players have, as we see, experiences of unpleasant and even dangerous situations. Muchova, for example, witnessed an incident with Emma Raducanu in Dubai, where the latter encountered a stalker, causing her significant stress. The issue of security at major competitions like the US Open remains a current and vital aspect for organizers and athletes.