Interrupting squirrel halts U.S. Open match

by Lauren O'Neil Posted: August 31, 2012 3:50 PM Last Updated: August 31, 2012 4:07 PM

View the story "Interrupting squirrel hits U.S. Open match" on StorifyInterrupting squirrel hits U.S. Open matchAn internationally televised match between Julien Benneteau and Olivier Rochus came to halt during their second set August 29 when one entertaining rodent darted onto the court.Storified by CBC News Community · Fri, Aug 31 2012 12:50:03Gothamist

One New York squirrel is getting his 15 minutes of fame thisweek after interrupting a U.S. Open tennis match with some wacky on-court antics.

Squirrel at US Open 2012grandslamtennishdThe internationally televised match between Julien Benneteauand Olivier Rochus came to halt during their second set August 29 when therodent darted onto the court.

This not-so-common grey squirrel proceeded to run along the net and up anddown fences as announcers narrated its every move.

"It's now decided it wants to play on the court,"one of the commentators said. "That's nasty Julien, don't try to hit itwith the ball. He'll think it's food. Poor little thing is scared now."Dailypicksandflicks

Members of the audience were entertained, but both players were visiblyannoyed by the delay.

Benneteau can be seen trying to shoo the squirrel away by running andtossing tennis balls in its direction.

We predict that if McKayla Maroney had been in attendance, she would not have been impressed.

undefinedImgurGymnast McKayla Maroney's sour face at silver medal wins on the web - Your CommunityMeet the Community Team CBC News Community team, from left to right: Andrew Yates, Andrea Lee-Greenberg, Lauren O'Neil, John Bowman If yo...The rodent eventually found his way off the court, butnot before enough footage of its appearance could be captured to make this squirrela viral video star.WordpressU.S. Open squirrel joins an already substantial body of famous squirrels on the internet, such as common_squirrel, Conan's squirrel and, of course, the original Banff Squirrel photo bomber himself.
hopcommon squirrelI hate sesquipedalian tweets. (Google it.)Conan's SquirrelundefinedCbcScene-stealing squirrel crashes Banff tourist photo - Edmonton - CBC NewsThe original Crasher Squirrel photo was taken by Melissa and Jackson Brandts in Banff in late May. The image of the squirrel has gone vir...The latter is even taking credit for U.S. Open squirrel's recent appearance!
I can't help myself!! RT @minpin78: The @Banff_Squirrel interfering again - Playful squirrel charms crowd at US Open http://yhoo.it/ONNXjuBanff SquirrelOf course, this is not the first squirrel to make headlines for interrupting a sports event.

The St. Louis Cardinals and Atlanta Braves were interrupted by an intruding squirrel of their own last year during a baseball game at Busch Stadium in St. Louis.Meet The "Rally Squirrel"The St. Louis Cardinals barely reached the playoffs, needing both a terrific winning streak of their own as well as a historic collapse b...The "Rally Squirrel" became a sensation with fans, who went "nuts" for merchandise with his image on it.
undefinedMlbThe rodent ended up becoming so popular that it was immortalized on a ring commemorating the Cardinals 11th world championship.undefinedJoesportsfanIt remains to be seen if the U.S. Open squirrel will go on to be remembered as fondly as the St. Louis Rally Squirrel or Photobombing squirrel of Banff, but many are already drawing comparisons online.
The Cardinals' Rally Squirrel gets some competition as the world's foremost sports-interrupting squirrel. http://sportsgrid.com/cjbbcSportsGrid"Does he know Rally Squirrel??" via @gothamist Video: Interrupting Squirrel At The U.S. Open http://gothamist.com/2012/08/30/video_squirrel_steals_the_show_at_u.phpDana BarnesRally squirrel's brother Tennis Rally @Deadspin Squirrel brings U.S Open to screeching halt http://deadsp.in/Muz5AGt @photo_chick @julietristankeith cleer@MattSebek in case u were looking 4 the rally squirrel "@Deadspin: Squirrel brings U.S. Open to screeching halt: http://deadsp.in/Muz5AGt"brentkassingRally squirrel cousin? RT @usopen: #Squirrel disrupts #usopen tennis match: http://usopentennis.tumblr.com/post/30537512881/a-squirrel-steals-the-spotlight-at-yesterdays-day The commentary on this video is priceless.Kristin

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