French Open Chair Umpire Damien Dumusois Rescues Injured Pigeon During Medvedev Match

On Saturday, June 1, 2024, during the third-round match of the French Open at Roland Garros, an unexpected interruption occurred on Court Suzanne Lenglen. A pigeon, which appeared injured, landed on the court during a changeover in the fourth set of the match between Russia's Daniil Medvedev and Tomas Machac of the Czech Republic.

Chair umpire Damien Dumusois quickly sprang into action. Climbing down from his chair, Dumusois grabbed a white towel and carefully approached the pigeon, which tried to hop away. With deft hands, he managed to capture the bird, earning cheers from the spectators.

Dumusois then carried the pigeon towards a doorway and handed it off to someone else, who held the bird aloft, drawing more applause from the crowd. The match resumed with Medvedev leading 4-3 in the final set.

Medvedev, the fifth-seeded Russian and 2021 US Open champion, went on to complete his 7-6 (4), 7-5, 1-6, 6-4 victory about 10 minutes later. The incident provided a brief but memorable interlude in the high-stakes match.

Reflecting on the unusual event, Machac said, "Yeah, I saw that. I think he was a little bit struggling... But you need to focus. You can't try to watch that. It's tough, but I tried to focus." The 23-year-old from the Czech Republic added that it was the first time he had seen such an incident during a match.

The rescue by Dumusois not only showcased his quick thinking but also added a unique touch to the French Open, highlighting the unpredictable nature of live sports. The incident was captured by AP Photographer Jean-François Badias, contributing to the report.

Moments like these remind us of the unexpected events that can unfold on the grand stage of international sports.

Key Takeaways

• Daniil Medvedev's French Open match interrupted by injured pigeon on court.
• Chair umpire Damien Dumusois rescues pigeon with a towel, earning applause.
• Medvedev wins match 7-6 (4), 7-5, 1-6, 6-4 against Tomas Machac.
• Machac says it's the first time he's seen such an incident during a match.
• Umpire's quick thinking adds unique touch to French Open, highlighting unpredictability of live sports.