Play at the Madrid Open was dramatically interrupted on Monday, April 28, 2025, due to a national power outage that affected much of Spain and Portugal, forcing players off the court and leading to the cancellation of the entire day's match schedule. Among those caught in the unexpected chaos was Britain’s Jacob Fearnley, who was in the midst of a tense third-round match against Bulgaria's Grigor Dimitrov.
Fearnley had just saved a match point and was preparing to serve while trailing 6-4, 5-4 when the power cut struck shortly after 12:30 PM local time. The outage rendered the electronic line-calling system inoperable, a technology that has replaced traditional line judges, and caused the scoreboard to stop functioning as well. This abrupt halt in play raised questions about the tournament's ability to proceed smoothly.
Despite the initial confusion, the tournament officials quickly announced that play would resume, albeit with some adjustments. The umpire took over the responsibility of making line calls, but complications arose when the spider camera, which hangs low over the court, became stuck and obstructed players' views. After further discussions, players were led back to the locker room as officials worked to resolve the issues.
Spain’s electricity grid operator, Red Electrica, confirmed widespread outages across the country and reported that they were actively working to restore power. By the time the sun set on Monday, reports indicated that traffic lights were malfunctioning, and the underground railway system in Madrid had to be evacuated due to the outage, which also affected parts of Portugal.
As the situation unfolded, Fearnley was one of three British men scheduled to compete in the third round of the tournament. Fellow British players Cameron Norrie and Jack Draper were also poised for action, with Norrie set to face Canada’s Gabriel Diallo and Draper scheduled to play against Italy's Matteo Berrettini.
As Monday came to a close, the Madrid Open issued a statement on their social media channels, confirming that power had been restored at the Caja Mágica, the tournament's venue. They announced that gates would open at 11:00 AM on Tuesday, April 29, 2025, with play expected to commence at 12:00 PM, as originally scheduled.
On Tuesday morning, the tournament reiterated that they had resolved the issues stemming from the power outage, allowing fans to return to the venue. The excitement was palpable as players prepared to resume their matches, with Fearnley returning to the court trailing Dimitrov and hoping to turn the tide in his favor.
In addition to Fearnley, the day's lineup featured some of the top seeds in the tournament, including Aryna Sabalenka and Alexander Zverev, who were also set to take the court. The atmosphere at the Caja Mágica was expected to be electric as the tournament resumed after the unprecedented disruption.
Spanish power distributor Red Electrica reported that by 6:00 AM on Tuesday, more than 99 percent of the country's power had been restored, although the cause of the outage was still under investigation. The event raised eyebrows and sparked discussions about infrastructure resilience, especially in light of such a significant and widespread blackout.
As the players returned to the court, anticipation built among fans and players alike. Would Fearnley manage to capitalize on the momentum he had built before the interruption, or would Dimitrov’s experience see him through? Only time would tell as the matches unfolded in the beautiful setting of Madrid.
The Madrid Open, one of the premier events in the tennis calendar, has a storied history and attracts top talent from around the globe. This year, the tournament faced a unique challenge, but the resilience displayed by the organizers, players, and fans showcased the spirit of the sport.
With the matches resuming and the power restored, the focus shifted back to the tennis, where the excitement of the competition awaited. Fans were eager to see how the players would respond after such an unusual interruption and what surprises the day might hold.
As the tournament continues, the players will look to make their mark in Madrid, and the events of the previous day will soon become a mere footnote in the ongoing saga of the Madrid Open. For now, all eyes are on the court as the action picks up once again.
