In an unexpected turn of events at the Miami Open, play was abruptly suspended during the round-of-16 match between Gael Monfils and Sebastian Korda due to lighting issues, leaving both players bewildered by the organizers' handling of the situation.
The match, held on March 25, 2025, showcased a tense battle that was interrupted when dark clouds loomed over Hard Rock Stadium, significantly reducing visibility on the court. As the score stood at 1-1 in the final set, Monfils requested for the stadium lights to be turned on, acknowledging that he struggled to see well enough to continue.
With visibility levels decreasing, the players and spectators awaited the activation of the floodlights. Monfils and Korda, who had faced off less than three weeks prior at Indian Wells, found themselves in a precarious position as the umpire, Mohamed Lahyani, communicated via walkie-talkie to figure out how to resolve the lighting issue. However, the announcement that the lights would take over ten minutes to turn on led to an official match suspension.
Commentator Colin Fleming remarked on the situation, “It is obviously not just a switch. ‘Put the big light on’. Gael Monfils clearly wants to wait,” capturing the growing frustration from both players and viewers alike.
Jonathan Overend echoed similar sentiments: “It’s very dark and it makes sense if you’re going to change the match conditions, it makes sense to do it at 1-1, one set all, one game all.” As minutes ticked by, the atmosphere grew increasingly tense with spectators and fans alike venting their frustrations on social media about what many perceived as an embarrassing organizational failure.
As the nine-minute mark approached without the lights coming on, Korda was momentarily allowed off the court for a quick break. In a twist of fate, the lights finally illuminated the court just as he stepped away. This led to further delays as Korda hurriedly returned to his position.
Once play resumed nearly thirteen minutes after the initial delay, Monfils quickly held serve. The momentum shifted when Korda managed to pull ahead with a break to lead 4-3 before requesting a medical timeout for treatment on his right wrist, adding yet another layer of interruption to the match.
However, shortly after the medical timeout, light drizzle began to fall, creating further complications. Following the first point of the 4-3 game, Monfils slipped on the now damp surface, prompting both players and the umpire to agree on suspending play once more due to the conditions. Korda, demonstrating good sportsmanship, agreed to replay the point after they resumed.
This continued back-and-forth not only frustrated the players but also drew criticism from observers. Fleming remarked, “This is a frustrating delay for all involved, that’s for sure. I’m a little surprised at how lenient they’ve been,” reflecting on Korda's apparent eagerness to continue while allowing Monfils to dictate the flow of the situation.
After nearly a three-hour interruption, both players returned to a wet court once conditions settled. However, the surface remained damp for another thirty minutes, causing further delays before they could finally continue play.
Ultimately, Sebastian Korda clinched victory, winning the match with a final score of 6-4, 2-6, 6-4. Despite the upheaval and interruptions, Korda’s ability to maintain focus amid the chaos allowed him to advance, although both players left the court amid discontent over the organizers’ handling of the day’s events.
The Miami Open—seen as a prestigious tournament—was left facing heavy criticism not only from fans but from commentators who described the scenes as “a farcical situation.” Fleming expressed disappointment in the entire episode, stating, “Couldn’t get the floodlights on and then you let one of the players go so there’s another delay once you do get the lights on. Not ideal.”
Moving forward, the need for better organization at high-stakes tournaments was amplified, allowing players, fans, and officials to hope that any future delays could be managed with greater efficiency.
