There was controversy at the Berlin Tennis Open as Jessica Pegula prepared to face Linda Nosková in the final. Extreme weather conditions delayed the start of the match, forcing spectators to be evacuated from the tournament grounds.
Later, the organizers of the WTA 500 tournament issued an apology to tennis fans after coming under fire for reports of staff’s inappropriate behavior during the evacuation.
Berlin Tennis Open Organizers Issue Apology After Spectator Complaints
An intense storm hit Berlin on Sunday as Pegula and Nosková were getting ready to compete in the final of the grass-court tournament. Spectators had to be evacuated from the Steffi Graf Stadion as a result, and the reported behavior of the staff during this evacuation was criticized by on-ground fans on social media.
Many called out the staff for reportedly shouting at spectators and pushing them from behind as they looked for shelter. People also complained that they were being rushed out, and the whole incident proved to be a frightening experience for many.
The Berlin Tennis Open organizers issued an apology for any staff who may have ‘behaved inappropriately.’ They added that their main goal was to clear the stands as quickly as possible amid the extreme weather, which led to the chaos.
“We would like to thank you for your cooperation during the evacuation of the tournament grounds… The intensity and speed of the storm made additional actions necessary at very short notice. If any individual members of the security staff behaved inappropriately during the evacuation, we would like to sincerely apologize. Our primary focus was to clear the grounds as quickly and safely as possible,” the Berlin Tennis Open shared in a statement.
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They also shared that the Berlin Tennis Open would not get underway before the damaged infrastructure and technical systems were fixed. They added that “safety requirements for visitors must be fully met” before the final can start.
As a result, the final of the Berlin Tennis Open is not expected to start before 4 p.m. local time (10 a.m. ET).
MORE: Disaster and Chaos at Jessica Pegula’s Berlin Final As Organizers Ask Spectators To Leave Venue
Pegula reached the final of the Berlin Tennis Open with a 6-4, 6-7 (4), 6-0 win over Aryna Sabalenka. The American is looking to win her third grass-court title and her second in Berlin, after triumphing in 2024.
Nosková defeated Alexandra Eala 6-2, 6-4 in the semifinals. This match will mark her first appearance in the final of a grass-court tournament on the WTA Tour.
