Children rushing for autographs told to get back to their seats at US Open

Children holding giant tennis balls wait for the end of the women's singles round of 16 tennis match between USA's Coco Gauff and USA's Emma Navarro to receive autographImage source, Getty Images
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Children rushed down to the sides of the courts for autographs

Security at the US Open tennis tournament had to step in and tell young fans to return to their seats, after they rushed forward for autographs.

The children, eager for a signature and holding giant green replica tennis balls, had moved to the front of the spectator stand at the edge of the court.

American tennis stars Coco Gauff and Emma Navarro were still playing at the time, with Gauff trailing 5-3 in the deciding set.

Former tennis champion Chris Fowler was commentating on the match at the time and saw what was going on.

He said: "Coco’s a little unnerved," explaining that the kids being allowed to move forward was a signal that people expected the match to "end soon."

"It’s not cool,” Fowler added, with his co-commentator, former world tennis No.1 Chris Evert adding that “The guards should prevent that from happening.”

Image source, Getty Images
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Sadly for Coco, the kids prediction that the match would end soon was correct

Gauff, who won the US Open tournament last year, looked frustrated as she stepped away from the service line while security approached the children to tell them to go back to their seats.

She went on to lose the match 6-2 4-6 6-3.