National Power Outage Stops Play at Madrid Open

Date: 28 April 2025 - 22:00

News ID: ۱۳۸۹۵۰

MADRID (AFP) - A national power outage stopped play at the Madrid Open, with Britain’s Jacob Fearnley among those forced off court.
Fearnley had saved a match point in his third-round encounter against Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov and was about to serve to stay in the match at 6-4 5-4 down when play was suspended on the main court.
The power cut meant the electronic line-calling system - which has replaced line judges - and scoreboards stopped working.
After a brief delay the umpire announced play would restart, with him making line calls in place of the system.
However, the spider camera which hangs low over the court had become stuck in place and was in the player’s eyelines.
After further discussion the umpire led the players back to the locker room.
Spain’s electricity grid operator Red Electrica confirmed power outages across the country and said it was working to restore electricity.
There have been reports traffic lights not working and the underground railway system being evacuated in Madrid, and a similar power outage in Portugal.
Scotland’s Fearnley is one of three British men due to play in the third round in Madrid on Monday.
Cameron Norrie is set to face Canada’s Gabriel Diallo before British number one Jack Draper plays Matteo Berrettini of Italy.