Bee Swarm Disrupts Indian Wells Quarterfinal, Yet Tennis Sensation Emerges as Savior

The BNP Paribas Open, also known as Indian Wells, experienced a bit of excitement on Thursday when a group of bees caused a significant delay during a quarterfinal match between Carlos Alcaraz and Alexander Zverev.

The match was tied at 1-1 in the first set when Alcaraz began swatting at the air. Initially, it was unclear what was causing the disturbance, but chair umpire Mohamed Lahyani had to stop the match as more bees swarmed onto the court in California.

Alcaraz, ranked as the world's number 2 player, was spotted heading straight for the locker room. The umpire then informed the crowd about a "bee invasion." A video later showed Lahyani getting stung on the head after the announcement.

Despite some initial delays caused by more bees interrupting the match restart attempts, the game eventually resumed after an hour and 48-minute wait. Alcaraz managed to secure a victory with a final score of 6-3, 6-1.

"It was definitely the most unique match I've ever played," the Spaniard shared with reporters. "I've never encountered anything like it before. It was a totally new experience for me.

"I believe this match will stick in my memory because of that. I'm sure everyone who witnessed it will remember this moment, and we all found it quite amusing, that's for sure."

Beekeeper Lance Davis removes bees from an overhead camera during the delay.

Beekeeper Lance Davis removes bees from an overhead camera during the delay.

Matthew Stockman/Getty Images

But while Alcaraz won the match, it was beekeeper Lance Davis who truly saved the day.

After the players went back to the locker room, Davis quickly went onto the court to gather the flying insects that were starting to swarm around one of the cameras above the court.

The organizers managed to move the camera towards the stands, where Davis used his vacuum to deal with the bees.

Rockstar beekeeper

The beekeeper transferred the insects into a cage to be transported away from the stadium and into one of his personal hives, according to ATPTour.com.

"This time of year is swarming season, so they go everywhere,” Davis told ATPTour.com. “And I’m just happy to be there for them, so they could not have any incidents."

Donning a stylish pair of all-black ski sunglasses, the president of ‘Killer Bee Live Removal’ quickly gained popularity on social media. He high-fived spectators and took selfies while on a mission to save the match.

“Not all heroes wear capes,” Alcaraz wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter, responding to a video of Davis in action.

Alexander Zverev and Carlos Alcaraz watch as bees are removed from the stadium.

Alexander Zverev and Carlos Alcaraz watch as bees are removed from the stadium.

Matthew Stockman/Getty Images

Davis, who mentioned to ATPTour.com that he does not have social media on his phone, gained attention for his brave handling of the situation.

US actor Ben Stiller was among those who admired his work, expressing on X: "Bee Invasion Guy is really cool. Fearless."

After his unexpected victory, Alcaraz is set to play against Jannik Sinner in the semifinals of the tournament. Hopefully, he can focus on his game without any more interruptions from bees.

“I’m not going to lie, I’m a little bit afraid of the bees,” the two-time grand slam winner admitted after his win.

Editor's P/S:

The BNP Paribas Open was thrown into chaos by a swarm of bees, causing a lengthy delay and providing a truly memorable moment in tennis history. Amidst the disruption, beekeeper Lance Davis emerged as an unlikely hero, quickly removing the insects and allowing the match to resume. Davis's calm and collected demeanor, combined with his stylish sunglasses and willingness to engage with fans, won him admiration on social media, where he was hailed as "Bee Invasion Guy."

While Carlos Alcaraz ultimately secured the victory, he acknowledged his apprehension towards bees. The incident highlights the unpredictable nature of the game and the challenges players can face beyond their opponents. As the tournament progresses, fans can only hope that the bees have flown away for good, allowing the players to compete without any further distractions.