Madrid Open cancels all matches amid nationwide power cut in Spain to 'guarantee general safety'
Updated 29/04/2025 at 11:28 GMT+1
Tennis had to be suspended at the Madrid Open midway through some early matches thanks to a power cut. With no electronic line calling or scoreboards, the decision was made to suspend play - not least because the spider-cam was dangling over the middle of the court. It was subsequently announced the day and night sessions were cancelled amid a nationwide power cut.
Candles in the dark - How power outage impacted Madrid Open
Video credit: SNTV
All of Monday's action at the Madrid Open has been cancelled after a nationwide power-cut in Spain ground play to an unexpected halt.
The ATP and WTA Masters 1000 event, one of the biggest lead-up events to the second major of the season at Roland-Garros, began on Tuesday, April 22 and will conclude on Sunday, May 4.
However, a lot of re-scheduling will be required after large parts of Spain and Portugal, including the Spanish capital Madrid, were hit by a blackout on Monday afternoon.
"For reasons beyond the control of the organisation and in order to guarantee general safety, the nationwide power-cut experienced in Spain on Monday 28 April has forced the cancellation of both the day and night sessions at the Mutua Madrid Open," said the tournament organisers.
Among the players who will have matches moved are British No. 1 Jack Draper, who was set to face Matteo Berrettini, and top two-ranked female players, Iga Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka.
Confusion as power goes out
Earlier on Monday, Jacob Fearnley’s match against Grigor Dimitrov was suspended deep into the second set, with the British star about to serve to stay in the match at 4-6 4-5 down.Â
The power outage forced the players back to the locker room and left fans groping for their mobile phones to light the way out of the stadium.
Although it was broad daylight when the outage occurred, some of the stairwells under the main show courts were gloomy at best - hence the need for additional lighting.
As for the matches themselves, with no line judges and only electronic line calling, it was easy to see why play could not continue.
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Along with the line problems, there was also the small matter of the spider-cam. This camera is rigged above the court to provide aerial shots and can move from end to end, but froze above the court when the power went out - leaving a distracting shadow.Â
Coco Gauff did manage to beat Belinda Bencic before the lights went out, the American winning 6-4 6-2 in 83 minutes to move on in the tournament.
Mirra Andreeva also managed to win before the outage, beating Yuliia Starodubtseva 6-1 6-4.
Tennis matches can be suspended for a number of reasons - with fans taken ill in the crowd often leading to delays.
Ball kids have also been known to struggle on hot days, while the players themselves often delay proceedings to get their injuries seen to.Â
In more unusual circumstances, there can be equipment malfunctions - such as when Jannik Sinner’s serve broke the net screw in Australia in January when he was playing Holger Rune.
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Watch chaotic scenes as 'broken court' suspends Sinner v Rune match
Video credit: TNT Sports
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