FLUSHING MEADOWS, N.Y. \u2014 Karol\u00edna Muchov\u00e1, the Czech world No. 13, had to wipe away tears and briefly halt her second-round U.S. Open match against Sorana C\u00eerstea on Thursday. She later said that she had spotted an ex-boyfriend in the crowd, who she said has a history of showing up \u201cat places where he shouldn\u2019t be.\u201d<\/p>\n
Muchov\u00e1 was serving down 4-1 in the first set when she looked visibly upset, and approached the side of the court to gesture toward the crowd. She wiped tears away from her face as she went to serve and apologized for the delay. After holding from 30-30, she walked to the back of the court and wiped her face with a towel.<\/p>\n
Muchov\u00e1, a U.S. Open semifinalist in both of the last two years, ended up winning the match to reach the third round, and in a post-match news conference explained in her native Czech what had happened. In a translation verified by The Athletic, she said:<\/p>\n
\u201cWell\u2026 it wasn\u2019t tennis-related,\u201d she said. \u201cSo l don\u2019t really like talking about it. But opposite my bench, my ex-boyfriend sat down. He sometimes shows up at places where he shouldn\u2019t be. That startled me a bit. I told him to leave, he didn\u2019t, but later he did go. It was hard to focus in that moment.\u201d<\/p>\n
Muchov\u00e1 had not mentioned the man to the WTA or the United States Tennis Association (USTA) ahead of the tournament, and has not done so since the incident. Players can request that certain individuals be blacklisted from receiving tickets or be given credentials.<\/p>\n
After beating fellow Czech Linda Noskov\u00e1 Saturday, the No. 11 seed said in a news conference, \u201cYeah, I\u2019m alright. I didn\u2019t make any report and everything is good.\u201d<\/p>\n
Asked if she trusted that there wouldn\u2019t be a similar incident again, Muchov\u00e1 said, \u201cI mean, who knows, right? I don\u2019t know, so\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
As for whether she felt safe going on court, she added: \u201cYeah, yeah, I feel okay.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ahead of the U.S. Open, a USTA spokesperson told The Athletic via email that \u201cPlayer safety is a critical element of our planning and execution for the U.S. Open. Our comprehensive security plan includes protocols and procedures for effective risk mitigation and issue management. We work closely with the ATP, WTA, ITF, ITIA and the other Grand Slam events to stay informed of all relevant situations and concerns.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe U.S. Open is in constant communication with local and federal law enforcement, who also maintain a presence at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. We utilize both physical and technological means throughout the event to monitor and maintain security, including online threats to players.\u201d<\/p>\n
At Wimbledon this year, a man who had displayed fixated behaviour toward Emma Raducanu at the Dubai Tennis Championships, and was given a restraining order by Dubai authorities, was removed from the list of applicants for tickets in the public ballot.<\/p>\n
It had been Muchov\u00e1 on the other side of the net at Wimbledon when Raducanu had spotted him, also mid-match. Raducanu later said that she \u201ccouldn\u2019t see the ball through tears\u201d and could \u201cbarely breathe.\u201d<\/p>\n