Iga Swiatek says she currently has no safety concerns amid protestors interrupting the Rome Open but admitted that there was a time when the infamous Monica Seles stabbing incident went through her head.
Over the last few years, activists from various groups have managed to storm and interrupt play at tennis tournaments, including the Australian Open, French Open and US Open.
At the ongoing Rome Open, the latest incident of that happening came on Monday when a group of climate protestors stormed the Rome Open and managed to interrupt play on two courts but were preventing from doing the same on a third court.
Madison Keys, ranked at No. 16 in the world, was in the middle of action versus Sorana Cirstea when a group of protestors threw confetti on the court and tried to glue themselves to the stands. That stopped the match for an hour and an interruption also happened on another court, where a doubles match was taking place.
After managing to put the incident past her and seal a 6-2 6-1 win over Cirstea, Keys admitted that she instantly started having certain fears for her safety after seeing a group of protestors storming the court.
“It’s not the greatest feeling when you’re on the court. Your first thought is your safety. I think maybe banning…
