Overview

• Maria Sakkari paused her third-round match at the Mubadala Citi DC Open on July 23 to gently remove a spotted lanternfly from the court.
• Seconds after she relocated the insect, a ball boy squashed it, prompting shock from the crowd and commentators.
• The clip went viral online, highlighting tensions between athlete sportsmanship and environmental considerations.
• Fans and commentators have questioned whether the ball boy intended to protect local agriculture or simply misunderstood Sakkari’s gesture.
• Sakkari’s tournament run ended in the quarter-finals with a loss to Emma Raducanu.