Power outage halts Madrid Open tennis tournament matches
- A major power outage affected Spain and Portugal, leading to the suspension of play at the Madrid Open.
- The outage caused the cancellation of several matches and delayed the opening of gates for spectators.
- The situation highlighted the vulnerabilities of hosting large-scale events amidst infrastructural challenges.
On April 28, 2025, a major power outage affected Spain and Portugal, leading to the suspension of play at the Madrid Open tennis tournament. The power cut occurred at 12:34 p.m. local time, interrupting two ATP singles matches and one doubles match already in progress. The outage not only halted the competition but also disrupted essential electronic line calling systems and left a 'spider cam' dangling over the court at Manolo Santana Stadium. The Spanish utility company RedElectrica confirmed the outage's impact on the Iberian peninsula, which is home to over 50 million people, although the exact number of those affected is still unclear. As the tournament continued, the situation worsened, forcing organizers to cancel a total of 22 matches, ensuring the safety of players and fans alike. With no electricity, spectators were evacuated from the venue, illustrating the challenges posed by such unforeseen incidents. While power was reportedly restored to most areas of Madrid later that night, the Caja Magica tennis complex remained without power the following day, jeopardizing the resumption of matches. Tournament organizers announced delays in opening gates for fans, scheduling them to open at 11 a.m. local time on April 29, 2025. The uncertainty surrounding match resumption led to concerns among players and fans alike. Major matches were supposed to take place after the disruption, including second-ranked Alexander Zverev and top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka, highlighting the significance of the tournament while raising questions regarding the efficiency and preparedness of event organizers during emergencies. Given the scale of the blackout that impacted transport systems, communication networks, and banking services across Madrid, the Madrid Open experience serves as a pertinent reminder of the vulnerabilities associated with hosting large-scale events. Despite efforts to resume play, the longer-term implications of such power outages on sporting events and public safety will need further consideration.