The Press Stories
A Bee Invasion Halts Quarterfinal Match at Indian Wells Tennis Tournament
An unexpected interruption caused chaos at the Indian Wells tennis tournament as a swarm of bees descended onto the court during a quarterfinal match between Carlos Alcaraz and Alexander Zverev. The defending champion, Alcaraz, was stung on the head as he attempted to fend off the insects with his racket, leading to a delay of over an hour.
The bees continued to multiply, even obstructing the broadcast camera’s lens at one point. Tournament staffer Lance Davis stepped in and used a vacuum to gently guide the bees away from the camera, earning a standing ovation from the crowd for his swift action.
This incident is not the first time bees have interrupted a sporting event. Similar incidents have occurred in the past, including a 2016 Major League Baseball game between the Toronto Blue Jays and the Los Angeles Angels. American tennis star Tommy Paul also shared his experience with bee interruptions, recalling a match where he was stung in the neck while playing in California.
Despite the unexpected delay, Alcaraz managed to regain his composure and continued the match against Zverev. He ultimately secured a spot in the semifinals where he will face off against Jannik Sinner of Italy. As the tournament progresses, players and fans alike will be keeping a close eye out for any more unexpected visitors on the court.
