Crashed drone interrupts Pennetta-Niculescu match at U.S. Open
The drone flew over Grandstand before it flew into Armstrong Stadium.
“I was a little bit scared, I have to say,” Pennetta said. “I mean, with all the things that happen now in the world, I’m imagining, ‘OK, it’s a bomb.’ That was my first reaction. I think it’s normal to think something like that.
“I was trying to (keep playing). I saw the police there watching and everything.”
After play continued police officers entered the stadium — when Pennetta led 5-4 in the second set — and stood over the drone, which appeared to be the size of one consumers can buy for personal use, about the width of a pizza box.
The sound of the crash visibly startled both players. Both were wobbly on serve toward the end of the contest, but Pennetta served out the match to win 6-1, 6-4.
