A Challenger category tennis tournament in Brazzaville, Republic of Congo, was interrupted by gunfire in the nearby streets, causing panic among those present. Despite the tense situation, no players were injured and the competition was able to resume shortly after. The Challenger circuit reported that the gunfire was part of a routine police exercise, although images showed people fleeing the scene.
During the matches between Ivorian Eliakim Coulibaly and French Maik Steiner, as well as between Dutch Guy De Ouden and Russian Ivan Denisov, the gunfire forced players, referees, and ball boys to retreat from the courts for safety reasons. Despite the confusion and fear, broadcasting from the court did not stop, capturing the explosions, tear gas, and the presence of a tank nearby.
One of the Argentine participants in the tournament, Ezequiel Monferrer, was competing in both singles and doubles. However, he was eliminated in the first round of both events. In singles, Monferrer lost to Austrian Maximilian Neuchrist, while in doubles, alongside his partner, he suffered a defeat against a French duo. Despite the alarming situation they experienced, the players managed to stay calm and continue with the tournament's development.
