Madrid Open suspended for day after all players immediately taken off court
British star Jacob Fearnley was just one of many players that had to be hauled off court at the Madrid Open due to a nationwide blackout. It has led to Monday’s day and night action to be suspended entirely, with play expected to resume on Tuesday. Fearnley was in action when the decision was made for players to leave courtGetty All play was suspended at the Madrid Open A statement from Madrid Open organisers read: “For reasons beyond the control of the organisation and in order to guarantee general safety, the nationwide power-cut experienced in Spain on Monday, April 28 has forced the cancellation of both the day and night sessions at the Mutua Madrid Open.” Fearnley was in action on Monday against Grigor Dimitrov in their Round of 32 clash when they were told to get off. The 23-year-old was due to serve to remain in the match in the second set when the Spanish capital suffered a complete power loss. It saw Electronic Line Calling and scoreboards immediately switch off, with there being no electricity at Manolo Santana Stadium. And with the Skycam stuck above court, the decision was made to remove them from court. That was due to the position of the camera, meaning the match couldn’t continue as it was stuck in the eyeline of the players. Other matches that were suspended included the clash between Damir Dzumhur and Matteo Arnaldi. Meanwhile, the men’s doubles match between Evan King and Christian Harrison against Mathhew Ebden and John Peers was another casualty of the power cut. Fans watching from home were then greeted to a written apology from broadcasters, which simply read: “Apologies for loss of pictures.” According to Spanish news outlet SUR, the national blackout caused by the country’s electricity network – Red Electrica Espanola – is also affecting other cities including Seville, Malaga and Badajoz among others. View Tweet: https://t.co/LYnzLzyLWC It has even been reported that the power cut has extended to Portugal and France, with homes and businesses left without electricity. In addition to players being taken off court, underground goers across Madrid were told to evacuate. Images of fans being stranded outside the stadium at Madrid Open have been doing the rounds on social media. And it has even been claimed sections of the venue are in complete darkness, with torches having to be used. Torches are having to be used at food stalls, with customers having to pay in cash with card machines down. With play halted for the day, it’s expected that Fearnley and Dimitrov will resume their encounter, which could last just one more game, early on Tuesday. Footage captured the moment the power cut happening during Coco Gauff’s interview after the advertising boards switched offX@TheTennisLetter Fearnley’s British compatriot Cameron Norrie had been due to battle Gabriel Diallo on Monday afternoon, as well as British No.1 Jack Draper. With it hoped that play resumes on Tuesday, it remains unclear how it will affect the previous order of play. In a clip that has gone viral, footage captured the exact moment the power cut hit Madrid during Coco Gauff‘s post-match interview. The American was speaking on court following her straight sets victory over Belinda Bencic when the advertising boards turned off behind her. It led to a startled reaction from the 21-year-old after the microphone cut out, stepping back and covering her mouth as the TV feed lost audio.
British star Jacob Fearnley was just one of many players that had to be hauled off court at the Madrid Open due to a nationwide blackout.
It has led to Monday’s day and night action to be suspended entirely, with play expected to resume on Tuesday.
A statement from Madrid Open organisers read: “For reasons beyond the control of the organisation and in order to guarantee general safety, the nationwide power-cut experienced in Spain on Monday, April 28 has forced the cancellation of both the day and night sessions at the Mutua Madrid Open.”
Fearnley was in action on Monday against Grigor Dimitrov in their Round of 32 clash when they were told to get off.
The 23-year-old was due to serve to remain in the match in the second set when the Spanish capital suffered a complete power loss.
It saw Electronic Line Calling and scoreboards immediately switch off, with there being no electricity at Manolo Santana Stadium.
And with the Skycam stuck above court, the decision was made to remove them from court.
That was due to the position of the camera, meaning the match couldn’t continue as it was stuck in the eyeline of the players.
Other matches that were suspended included the clash between Damir Dzumhur and Matteo Arnaldi.
Meanwhile, the men’s doubles match between Evan King and Christian Harrison against Mathhew Ebden and John Peers was another casualty of the power cut.
Fans watching from home were then greeted to a written apology from broadcasters, which simply read: “Apologies for loss of pictures.”
According to Spanish news outlet SUR, the national blackout caused by the country’s electricity network – Red Electrica Espanola – is also affecting other cities including Seville, Malaga and Badajoz among others.
It has even been reported that the power cut has extended to Portugal and France, with homes and businesses left without electricity.
In addition to players being taken off court, underground goers across Madrid were told to evacuate.
Images of fans being stranded outside the stadium at Madrid Open have been doing the rounds on social media.
And it has even been claimed sections of the venue are in complete darkness, with torches having to be used.
Torches are having to be used at food stalls, with customers having to pay in cash with card machines down.
With play halted for the day, it’s expected that Fearnley and Dimitrov will resume their encounter, which could last just one more game, early on Tuesday.
Fearnley’s British compatriot Cameron Norrie had been due to battle Gabriel Diallo on Monday afternoon, as well as British No.1 Jack Draper.
With it hoped that play resumes on Tuesday, it remains unclear how it will affect the previous order of play.
In a clip that has gone viral, footage captured the exact moment the power cut hit Madrid during Coco Gauff‘s post-match interview.
The American was speaking on court following her straight sets victory over Belinda Bencic when the advertising boards turned off behind her.
It led to a startled reaction from the 21-year-old after the microphone cut out, stepping back and covering her mouth as the TV feed lost audio.
