Australian top seed Talia Gibson and India’s Sahaja Yamalapalli sprinted off the court midway through their second-round match at the W100 Bengaluru Open on Thursday after a swarm of bees invaded the stadium.
The two tennis players interrupted play as a ball boy pointed out the bugs across the court at India’s SM Krishna Tennis Stadium and alerted the referee.
Advertisement
Gibson and Yamalapalli, along with the ball boy and ball girl, ran for cover.
The referee hurriedly got down from his chair and followed them to safety.
Other pictures show spectators fleeing their seats amid the chaos.
A ball boy is seen pointing at a swarm of bees invading the stadium during the second round match between Australia’s Talia Gibson and India’s Sahaja Yamalapalli at the W100 Bengaluru Open on February 19, 2026.
Australia’s Talia Gibson and India’s Sahaja Yamalapalli sprinted off the court midway through their second round match after a swarm of bees invaded the stadium during the W100 Bengaluru Open in India, Thursday, February 19, 2026. ITF
The ITF Women’s World Tour match was temporarily suspended for 20 minutes.
Gibson then won in straight sets, 6-0, 6-0, to advance to the quarterfinals.
The stadium is located in Cubbon Park, which has more than 8,000 trees spread across nearly 200 acres.
Talia Gibson of Australia at the 2026 Australian Open at Melbourne Park in January 2026. Getty Images
India’s Sahaja Yamalapalli in action during the Billie Jean King Cup qualifiers in Bangalore, India, November 2025. NurPhoto via Getty Images
Earlier this month, Gibson won his first title of the season by defeating Nao Hibino, 6-3, 7-6, in the final at W75 Brisbane.
Yamalapalli is currently India’s No. 1 tennis player in women’s singles.
