Rafael Nadal Accosted by Fan After Beating Gael Monfils at U.S. Open

Rafael Nadal beat Gael Monfils Tuesday to advance to the quarterfinals of the U.S. Open, but what's really getting attention this morning is what happened after the match, when a man ran out of the stands and onto the court, hugging and kissing Nadal before security could restrain him.

A bare-chested Nadal grinned and watched as the fan was dragged away, and he said afterward that he wasn't upset by it.

"For me it wasn't a problem," Nadal said. "The guy was really nice. He was a great fan. He said, 'I love you,' and he kiss me."

If Nadal can laugh it off, maybe I should too, but I have to say, I find it disturbing that this man was able to make physical contact with Nadal before security intervened. We've already seen a high-profile encounter between a fan and a tennis player once this year, when a man confronted Roger Federer during the French Open final. And, of course, Monica Seles was stabbed by a fan in 1993.

The USTA says it's reviewing security procedures. It should. The incident is being played for laughs, but it could have been gravely serious.

Does the U.S. Open need better security? Tell me what you think on Twitter @MichaelDavSmith.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

9-09-2009 @ 8:59PM

svekirch said...

haha Nadal!, the fan sounds a little cocoo :-)

9-09-2009 @ 9:34PM

whodunitbandit said...

lucky guy!!!

9-10-2009 @ 12:12AM

robert said...

very lucky

9-09-2009 @ 10:14PM

Ray said...

You didn't see anyone going out on the court to kiss Monfils. Just shows how adoreable Rafael is and shirtless he's even more so. Not sure I could've resisted and I'm straight, hahaha.

9-09-2009 @ 10:22PM

Richard said...

I have discovered that someone I know, who is a convicted child molester, drug addict, wife beater, arsonist, and killer of small kittens, has recently taken to posting adds on these comment sites. It really upsets me to see them sink so low and demean themselves by doing this.

9-09-2009 @ 11:16PM

markstlcard said...

If he had kissed a female tennis player he would've been arrested and charged with sexual assault. On in the USA !! What a bizarre country.

9-11-2009 @ 6:51AM

Lisa Williams said...

I agree. The USA is a weird country. I have been living in Germany for the past two years and I find that Americans are cry babies. Don't get me wrong I love my country, but Americans are whinny little brats.

For security reasons I think security should have done a better job of protecting the players, but I find the story very funny.

9-09-2009 @ 11:37PM

mezl said...

how about shatter-proof plastic/glass fences like they have at hockey rinks? make them too high to scale, and no one can jump out of their seats onto the field....

9-10-2009 @ 12:08AM

beammeuphottie10 said...

Excellent point markstlcard. Nothing sucks like a double-standard. smh Society needs a MAJOR reality check.

9-10-2009 @ 12:09AM

markjamesmoore said...

BLAH,BLAH,BLAH,BLAH,BLAH!

blondie5207 said...

I was there n it was realli funny and he honestly lookd lik a grl from the stands but it wud hav been horrible if they hurt Rafa!such a sweetie

Wish that had been me he's cute

9-10-2009 @ 3:27AM

in2puck said...

Just goes to show what a nice and classy guy Rafa is that he was concerned that the guy might get roughed up. Annnnd, yeah, that was one LUCKY guy!

9-10-2009 @ 3:46AM

bri mac said...

he should of ran out with a big pink vibrating dildo and a jar of ky jelly. would have been funnier.

9-11-2009 @ 11:36AM

kimmy said...

About the match: I was sad Gael lost, and had followed him on Prince's facebook page (www.facebook.com/official.prince.tennis), and he really seemed like he has a great attitude.

About the man: LUCKY!