All the buzz: Bee invasion suspends Alcaraz-Zverev quarterfinal match at BNP Paribas Open
Play was temporarily suspended at the BNP Paribas Open on Thursday after a bee invasion.
Play has been suspended due to bee invasion. 🐝#IndianWells
— BNP Paribas Open (@BNPPARIBASOPEN) March 14, 2024
A swarm of bees made their way to Stadium 1 during the first set of the highly anticipated quarterfinal match between Carlos Alcaraz and Alexander Zverev.
Video shows Alcaraz having to quickly leave the court to take cover from the bees.
Putting the Bee in BNP. I knew this match had some buzz around it. Didn't know it had this much. Wow! 🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝@KESQ @KenjiitoKESQ @Tarp1969 @Qassignmentdesk #TennisParadise #IndianWells #BeeNP https://t.co/sWAY05BVQP
— Blake Arthur (@BlakeArthur24) March 14, 2024
— Blake Arthur (@BlakeArthur24) March 14, 2024
Video from the stands also shows spectators leaving their seats to avoid the bees.
Hope he's charging extra for today's services 😆#TennisParadise pic.twitter.com/FJV4pwFzTo
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) March 14, 2024
The official delay time was roughly 90 minutes, according to tournament officials.
Luckily, the match was able to continue, thanks to local man Lance Davis.
Lance, the local beekeeper turned legend who answered the call of duty at Indian Wells. 🐝🎾🏟️@KESQ @KenjiitoKESQ @Tarp1969 @Qassignmentdesk @IndianWellsCA #IndianWells #TennisParadise #BNPParibasOpen #Bees #BeeNP pic.twitter.com/9CpriACkmF
— Blake Arthur (@BlakeArthur24) March 15, 2024
Davis was able to safely and effectively remove the bees from the Stadium.
The tournament issued a statement on Davis, saying the following:
Lance Davis has worked with the tournament for approximately seven years. He works with the tournament on a year-round basis, as needed, and has been out a few times to this year’s event to help with other beekeeping needs around the grounds.
He used a vacuum that filters the bees into a live catch cage, a natural and humane way to remove them from the site.
This area, at this time of the year, can be a hotspot for bees, with all the flowers blooming and blossoming.
In addition, the bees can be attracted to low frequency sound waves, and music bass, as they feel the vibrations and are attracted to those locations.
The tournament is very thankful for his quick response to the situation, and on-going assistance to the BNP Paribas Open.
