A night of world-class tennis at the Shanghai Masters took an unexpected turn when a 46-year-old woman caused repeated disruptions during a match between Italy’s Matteo Berrettini and France’s Adrian Mannarino, leading to her dramatic removal by security to the cheers of thousands of spectators.
A Disturbance in the Stands
The incident took place around 4 p.m. local time during the highly anticipated first-round match. According to eyewitnesses, the woman — whose name has been made public by local authorities — began screaming loudly and erratically twisting in her seat, startling those around her. Her behavior quickly escalated from a nuisance to a full-blown disturbance, interrupting the flow of the match and drawing attention away from the players.
Spectators initially reacted with confusion, turning their heads to locate the source of the disruption. However, as the outbursts continued, frustration began to spread through the crowd. Some fans shouted at her to stop, while others covered their ears in annoyance as her high-pitched screams pierced through the stadium.
Match Halted Multiple Times
The match was suspended not once, but three separate times as chair umpire officials attempted to restore order. In a rare moment, the chair umpire took to the microphone and directly addressed the woman, saying:
“Lady, please calm down.”
His warning, however, fell on deaf ears. The woman continued her disruptive behavior, forcing officials to pause the match repeatedly — something rarely seen in professional tennis at this level. Both Berrettini and Mannarino appeared visibly distracted, walking back to their benches while the situation unfolded.
Escalation: “Help Me!” and Defiance
When security approached, the woman refused to comply. Witnesses reported that she pulled out a foreign passport along with what was described as a “cut-corner” Chinese ID card — a sign indicating a canceled or modified document — and began waving them at security personnel. In English, she shouted phrases like “Help me!” and “Go away!” repeatedly, drawing even more attention to herself.
Security staff made several attempts to calmly escort her out, but she resisted and deliberately moved toward security officers in an attempt to make physical contact. Her aggressive and uncooperative stance prompted officials to physically remove her from the stands. Throughout the removal, she continued to scream and struggle, creating a chaotic scene.
Adding another layer to the drama, a young boy who appeared to be accompanying her was escorted out separately by staff members to avoid further escalation.
Crowd Erupts as Order Restored
After a tense standoff that lasted several minutes, the woman was finally removed from the stadium. As security led her away, the entire crowd erupted into loud cheers, claps, and audible sighs of relief. Videos of the incident show fans shouting for her to “get out” and celebrating the restoration of order.
The match resumed at 10:52 p.m., hours after the original disruption. Despite the interruptions, both Berrettini and Mannarino managed to regain their focus and continue play without further incidents.
Official Police Statement and Penalties
Later that evening, the Minhang branch of the Shanghai Public Security Bureau issued an official statement on social media. According to the statement, the woman had consumed alcohol before attending the match, ignored multiple police warnings, and seriously disrupted public order. As a result, she was lawfully removed from the event and handed an administrative penalty under Chinese law.
The statement read, in part:
“The individual in question disrupted order at a public event after drinking alcohol. She ignored repeated warnings from officers and security personnel. In accordance with relevant laws, she was removed from the venue and given an administrative penalty.”
Online Speculation About Her Identity
Soon after the incident, speculation spread rapidly across Chinese and international social media platforms. Users dug up information suggesting that the woman claimed to be a CEO of a company. Reports allege that she obtained Swedish permanent residency in 2022, acquired citizenship two years later, and relocated to Shanghai after originally being from Guangzhou.
Some netizens debated whether her behavior was an isolated drunken outburst or a deliberate attempt to attract attention, but the majority expressed frustration, criticizing her for disrespecting both players and fans.
Tennis Etiquette in Focus
While tennis has seen unusual fan incidents in the past, this event stands out for its duration, intensity, and level of defiance. Professional tennis is known for its strict spectator etiquette — maintaining silence during points, showing respect to both players, and following venue rules.
Sports commentator Zhang Wei remarked during a post-match discussion:
“This is not a concert or a political rally. Tennis demands respect from its audience. What happened today disrupted not only the players but also thousands of paying fans who came for the sport, not the drama.”
The Shanghai Masters organizing committee has since tightened its security protocols, increasing patrols and reminding attendees of the code of conduct for spectators. Repeat offenders, officials warned, may face bans from future events.
A Memorable, If Bizarre, Night
For the thousands in attendance, what should have been a straightforward tennis match became an unforgettable spectacle of fan misconduct. Videos of the incident have since gone viral worldwide, sparking debates about crowd control, fan behavior, and cultural differences in sporting etiquette.
As for the woman at the center of it all, her night ended not with a trophy or applause, but with an escort by security and a legal penalty — while the crowd cheered her departure.
