Madrid Open Suspended Due to Nationwide Power Outage

A significant national power outage has led to the suspension of play at the Madrid Open, one of the most prestigious tennis events outside the four Grand Slams. Organizers decided to halt all matches on Monday to ensure the safety of everyone involved.

Impact on Matches and Players

The power outage, which began around midday local time, affected large areas of Spain and Portugal. This disruption led to the failure of the electronic line-calling system and scoreboards, crucial for the smooth running of the matches. British player Jacob Fearnley was in the middle of a critical third-round match against Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov when play was suspended. Fearnley had just saved a match point and was about to serve to stay in the match at 6-4, 5-4 down on the main court.

Efforts to Resume Play

Initially, the umpire attempted to continue the match by manually making line calls. However, the spider camera, essential for broadcasting and reviewing plays, became stuck in place, obstructing the players' view. After further deliberation, the umpire led the players back to the locker room, postponing the match indefinitely.

Broader Implications

Spain's electricity grid operator, Red Electrica, confirmed the widespread power outages and is working diligently to restore power. The outage has caused significant disruptions, including non-functioning traffic lights and the evacuation of Madrid's underground railway system. A similar situation was reported in Portugal.

Upcoming Matches

Despite the day's events, the tournament organizers are hopeful to resume play soon. Other notable matches include Cameron Norrie facing Canada's Gabriel Diallo and British number one Jack Draper playing against Italy's Matteo Berrettini.

For more updates on the Madrid Open and other tennis events, stay tuned to our coverage.