Bee Invasion Delays BNP Paribas Open Quarterfinal Match at Indian Wells

A bee invasion caused a disruption at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, leading to a delayed quarterfinal match between Carlos Alcaraz and Alexander Zverev on Thursday. The unexpected pause lasted for over an hour before the match finally resumed, with Alcaraz emerging victorious with a score of 6-3, 6-1.

Alcaraz, the reigning champion, was about to serve during the third game of the match when a swarm of bees descended upon Stadium 1, surrounding him and causing a moment of confusion. Alcaraz attempted to swat the bees away with his racket, while Zverev stood motionless on the opposite side of the court, observing the unusual scene. Eventually, the umpire, Mohamed Lahyani, announced a temporary halt to the match.

Reports later revealed that Alcaraz had been stung on the head during the bee incident. Despite the unexpected delay, Alcaraz was seen laughing at his phone on one of the warmup courts, possibly watching videos of the peculiar occurrence.

As the players sought refuge in the locker room, the swarm of bees continued to grow, with the broadcast’s spider camera becoming a focal point for the insects. The camera’s lens was obstructed by the bees, rendering it almost unusable.

A video captured by a spectator showcased the bees’ attraction to the camera:

Approximately 40 minutes into the pause, a tournament staff member, identified as Lance Davis, was seen delicately removing the bees from the camera’s anchor using a vacuum. Despite not wearing a bee suit or protective gear, Davis received a standing ovation from the crowd for his brave actions.

A similar incident involving bees disrupting a sports event occurred in Major League Baseball back in 2016. During a game between the Toronto Blue Jays and the Los Angeles Angels, a swarm of bees interrupted play for 13 minutes during the third inning.

Tommy Paul, an American tennis player, shared his own experience with bees during a Tennis Channel interview. He recounted being stung in the neck during a match in California and humorously added, “I lost, by the way.”

Alcaraz is set to face Jannik Sinner of Italy in the semifinals following his eventful quarterfinal match at the BNP Paribas Open.