Tennis is a sophisticated sport, and there is a certain level of decorum that is expected when you attend a high-level match.
The biggest rule for spectators — do not make noise when the ball is in play. People, with few exceptions, usually follow it.
That peace and quiet was interrupted on Saturday afternoon in Montreal during a semifinal match at the National Bank Open in Montreal between Iga Swiatek and Jessica Pegula.
With Swiatek serving in an important second-set tiebreak, the popular stadium anthem song "Cotton Eye Joe" began suddenly playing over the court's PA system without any warning. It stunned everybody.
It was not only an unbelievable interruption at a crucial moment in the match, but the most hilarious possible song that could have interrupted it.
Have a look.
Iga Swiatek & Jessica Pegula had to replay a crucial point at 3-4 in the 2nd set tiebreak
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) August 12, 2023
Music started playing during the point.
Jess ended up losing the set & she did not win a point for the rest of the tiebreak. pic.twitter.com/hwVBRdDoig
The umpire forced the point to be replayed, while Swiatek went on to win the tiebreak and force a decisive third set.
It was there that Pegula would rally to win the match 6-2, 6-7, 6-4. Pegula is the daughter of Buffalo Bills owners Terry and Kim Pegula.
Swiatek entered the match as the top-ranked women's player in the World. Pegula will play for the championship on Sunday.
More must-reads:
Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!