The BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells was unexpectedly interrupted during the quarterfinal match between Carlos Alcaraz and Alexander Zverev, due to a swarm of bees making an uninvited appearance, which resulted in a nearly two-hour delay in the game.
The disruption occurred when, in the midst of serving and with the score tied at 1-1, Alcaraz found himself being harassed by a group of bees. Despite his attempts to swat them away, the bees persisted, causing Alcaraz to seek shelter. Eventually, the match was temporarily suspended after 19 minutes, only to resume later with Alcaraz emerging as the victor with a score of 6-3, 6-1.
The delay, lasting for 1 hour and 48 minutes, far exceeded the actual playing time, which was only one hour and 29 minutes. The unexpected guests also took a liking to the overhead spider camera, which had to be cleared of dozens of bees by an unprotected individual wielding a vacuum.
During the interruption, both players had to leave the court for safety reasons. Upon their return, the chair umpire informed them that some bees were still lingering around. In response, Zverev amusingly stated that he was willing to continue playing on his side of the court. Meanwhile, a man wielding a spray bottle was brought out to address the situation, receiving an enthusiastic cheer from the crowd. His efforts to manage the bees even led to impromptu fan interactions, as he posed for selfies with spectators.
Despite the comical nature of the situation, Alcaraz remained concerned about the possibility of another bee swarm on his side of the court. However, with the encouragement of an ATP Tour supervisor, he decided to give it a try during the warmup.
The unexpected event did not go unnoticed, with tournament owner Larry Ellison and former Microsoft CEO Bill Gates observing from a prominent vantage point. Their presence added another layer of intrigue to the already eventful match.
Bee invasions may not be a common occurrence in the world of professional tennis, but the events at Indian Wells serve as a reminder that nature can sometimes unexpectedly make its presence known. The resilience and good spirits of the players, officials, and fans in the face of this unusual situation only added to the unique charm of the tournament.