Suspiciously parked car delays French Open start
General view of the stadium after the first round match between Serena Williams of the U.S. and Romania’s Irina-Camelia Begu at the French Open on May 31, 2021. REUTERS/Sarah Meyssonnier
PARIS—Start of play at the French Open between local hope Ugo Humbert and Ricardas Berankis of Lithuania was delayed on Tuesday due to a suspiciously parked vehicle outside Roland Garros, the organizers said.
A loud sound was heard outside the 5,000-seat stadium, built on the premises of the neighboring botanical garden, and play started on Court Simonne-Mathieu about 25 minutes later than schedule.
Article continues after this advertisementFrench Tennis Federation (FFT) said the start was delayed due to security officials neutralizing a vehicle illegally parked outside the stadium.
“It was a routine security intervention by the police,” an FFT spokesman told Reuters. “Everything is back to normal.”
A police source said the vehicle was a stolen car and security checks confirmed there were no explosives attached.
Article continues after this advertisementMatches on the other courts on the third day of the clay court Grand Slam started on time.
