Power Cut Suspends Matches at the Madrid Open
A national power outage in Spain has disrupted the 2025 Madrid Open, halting play for the day. The outage, which began around midday local time, affected large portions of Spain and Portugal, impacting public transport, mobile networks, and card payments. In response to the power failure, tournament organizers announced that no further play would take place on Monday, prioritizing safety for all involved.
Cause of the Power Outage
Portuguese energy company REN attributed the power outage to a rare atmospheric phenomenon linked to temperature variations. Power is gradually being restored in several regions, but the effects of the outage were felt in multiple cities, including Madrid, where the Madrid Open is held. The power cut caused disruptions such as traffic light failures and the evacuation of the underground railway system in Madrid, with similar outages reported in Portugal.
Impact on Matches and Players
The outage disrupted several ongoing matches, including that of Jacob Fearnley, who was engaged in a third-round encounter with Grigor Dimitrov. Fearnley had saved a match point and was serving to stay in the match at 6-4, 5-4 down when play was halted on the main court. The power failure led to the malfunction of the electronic line-calling system, which had replaced traditional line judges, and also caused the scoreboard to stop functioning.
After a brief delay, the umpire announced that play would resume with manual line calls, but the spider camera hanging over the court was obstructed, causing further disruption. Following additional discussions, the umpire decided to lead the players back to the locker room, postponing play until the situation could be resolved.
Madrid Open’s Resilient Response to the Power Outage
Spain’s electricity grid operator, Red Electrica, confirmed the outage and is working to restore power across the country. The situation led to considerable logistical challenges for the Madrid Open, one of the biggest events in the tennis calendar outside the four Grand Slams. Despite these hurdles, the tournament organizers are committed to ensuring the safety and comfort of all players and spectators.
Other Matches Affected by the Outage
Fearnley was not the only British player affected by the power cut. Cameron Norrie was scheduled to play against Canada’s Gabriel Diallo, and Jack Draper, the British number one, was set to face Italy’s Matteo Berrettini. All matches were suspended until the situation could be resolved, further delaying the action on Monday.
Conclusion
The power outage at the Madrid Open highlights the unpredictable nature of large-scale sporting events and the logistical challenges that come with unforeseen circumstances. With play temporarily suspended, fans and players are waiting for the situation to be resolved, but the focus remains on ensuring a safe environment for everyone involved. As power is restored and systems return to normal, the Madrid Open will resume with the same level of intensity and excitement that makes it a key event on the tennis calendar.
