‘Bee invasion’ stops Indian Wells in its tracks amid chaotic scenes

Carlos Alcaraz wasn’t only battling Alexander Zverev in the Indian Wells quarterfinal as a shocking scene unfolded at the event.

A "bee invasion" has stopped the Indian Wells clash between Alexander Zverev and Carlos Alcaraz. Photo: Getty Images

A “bee invasion” has rocked Stadium Court at Indian Wells on Thursday, sending defending champion Carlos Alcaraz and Alexander Zverev diving for cover and making a hero of local bee expert Lance Davis.

While Alcaraz moved into the semi-finals of the event known as tennis’ unofficial fifth major with a 6-3 6-1 win over the German, it was the bizarre scenes that saw the quarterfinal halted for nearly two hours that had all the tongues wagging.

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World No. 2 Alcaraz was stung on the forehead and forced into retreat by the insects, swatting them away in alarm with his racquet and hands before seeking shelter.

He and Zverev were just two games into their quarter-final match when play was halted, with chair umpire Mohamed Lahyani announcing: “Ladies and gentlemen, play is suspended due to bee invasion.”

“It’s horrendous. Oh my goodness,” one commentator said.

“One of the more bizarre suspensions of play. That is a sign you are very, very likely to never see again — play suspended because of a bee invasion.”

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Alcaraz’s agent, Albert Molina, told Spanish radio station Cadena Cope during the delay that Alcaraz was stung on the forehead “but he is fine.”

Over the next two hours, Davis, a local expert who specialises in live bee removal, emerged as a star during the break.

Alcaraz was ducking for cover. Photo: Getty Images

The bees were loving the spidercam. Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images

Spectators watched in fascination as he used a special vacuum to remove the masses of bees that had swarmed the remote-controlled aerial “spider cam” – funnelling them into a humane live-catch cage.

With that done, officials indicated players would soon return to court, but plenty of stray bees remained and fans applauded as Davis used a spray to target some the on-court scoreboards, courtside chairs and player equipment before making his way through some sections of the stands — where spectators offered high-fives and took selfies with him.

Tournament spokesman Matt Van Tuinen said Davis, who operates Killer Bee Live Removal, has worked with the tournament for about seven years on a year-round basis and had already been out to help with “other beekeeping needs around the grounds.”

Alcaraz, who said he’d never seen anything like it on a tennis court, clearly felt no lingering effects from his brush with the bees, romping to the straight-sets victory.

“For sure the most unusual match I have ever played in my career,” Alcaraz said, recalling that he noticed the bees after winning a point on serve in the third game.

“I thought it was just a few of them, not too many. But I saw the sky and there was thousands, thousands flying, stuck in my hair, going to me. It was crazy.

“I tried to stay away from them, but it was impossible.”

Beekeeper Lance Davis became a fan favourite. Photo by Frederic J. BROWN / AFP

The players were brought back on court to warm up, although Alcaraz insisted Davis get rid of some stragglers around the player chairs and equipment.

“I’m not going to lie,” Alcaraz said. “I’m a little bit afraid of bees.”

It wasn’t the first time a marquee tennis match has been disrupted by bees.

At the WTA 1000 event in Guadalajara in 2022 an opening day match between Petra Kvitova and Bernarda Para was delayed as a beekeeper dealt with a swarm of bees that had attached itself to the umpire’s chair.

Sinner will now play Australian Open champion and world No. 3 Jannik Sinner in the semi-final.