Star tennis player Carlos Alcaraz was attacked by bees in a surreal scene at Indian Wells.
Alcaraz and Alexander Zverev were tied 1-1 in the first set of the quarterfinal of the BNP Paribas Open when the attack occurred.
All of a sudden, Alcaraz was swarmed as he was lining up to serve, and he had to run off the court to avoid the bees.
Carlos Alcaraz was attacked by bees during his first set against Alexander Zverev at Indian Wells. X / Tennis Channel
Carlos Alcaraz had to grab a towel and run off the court after he was attacked by bees during the first set against Alexander Zverev at Indian Wells. Tennis Channel
“What’s happening here?” one Tennis Channel announcer asked, as the chair umpire said the match was suspended due to the bees.
The bees started swarming all over the court, and not just around Alcaraz.
An invasion of bees suspends play between Carlos Alcaraz of Spain and Alexander Zverev of Germany during the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells Tennis Garden on March 14, 2024. Getty Images
Carlos Alcaraz of Spain hides under his shirt as a swarm of bees invade the court whilst playing against Alexander Zverev of Germany in their quarterfinal match during the BNP Paribas Open. Getty Images
The quick consensus on social media was that this was borderline unprecedented.
“Watching the match between @AlexZverev v @carlosalcaraz … there is an attack of bees on the stadium and the match has to be suspended! I have never seen anything like it in my 39 years of tennis ….unbelievable!!!” tweeted tennis legend Boris Becker.
Alvarez’s agent, Albert Molina, said that Alcaraz was stung on the forehead during the swarming attack.
Carlos Alcaraz of Spain and Alexander Zverev of Germany watch on a TV monitor in the players tunnel after running in for cover from a swarm of bees that suddenly invaded the court whilst playing in their quarterfinal match during the BNP Paribas Open. Getty Images
Carlos Alcaraz of Spain flees the court after an invasion of bees suspends his match between Alexander Zverev of Germany during the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells Tennis Garden on March 14, 2024 in Indian Wells, California. Getty Images
The match finally resumed after one hour and 48 minutes of a delay, and Alcaraz won in straight sets (6-3, 6-1).
According to the Associated Press, the match only took 1:29.