Madrid Open halts play due to blackout and spider-cam issue

Posted : 28 April 2025

At the Madrid Open, play was unexpectedly suspended during early matches due to a widespread power outage that plunged the venue into darkness. The lack of power caused significant disruptions, with no electronic line calling systems or scoreboards functioning. This forced the organizers to halt the games, especially as the spider-cam, an aerial camera used to capture sweeping shots, was left dangling directly above the court, further complicating the situation. The power cut affected large areas across Spain, leaving spectators and players in uncertainty.

The outage occurred during the second set of the match between Jacob Fearnley and Grigor Dimitrov, when Fearnley was trailing 4-6, 4-5 and about to serve to stay in the match. Despite being daylight, parts of the venue, particularly stairwells near the main show courts, were left in complete darkness, making it difficult for fans to navigate the stadium without the aid of mobile phone lights. As a result, the decision was made to suspend play and clear the area for safety reasons.

The technical issues caused by the blackout were considerable. The tournament relies heavily on electronic systems for line calling, and without these, the officials were unable to properly judge the lines. This, combined with the lack of scoreboards, made it impossible for the match to continue as normal, leading to the suspension. Fans were left waiting for news about the length of the delay while the situation was addressed.

Another complication arose from the malfunction of the spider-cam, which provides aerial views of the court. Normally able to move smoothly across the venue, it froze in place when the power was cut, creating an annoying and distracting shadow above the court. This technical glitch only added to the frustration of players, officials, and spectators, contributing to the decision to pause the event.

Before the power cut, a couple of matches had been completed. Coco Gauff defeated Belinda Bencic 6-4, 6-2 in a match that lasted 83 minutes, securing her place in the next round. Similarly, Mirra Andreeva won her match against Yuliia Starodubtseva 6-1, 6-4, advancing before the outage interrupted the action. Both players managed to complete their matches in time, avoiding the delay that affected others.

Power outages are a rare occurrence at tennis tournaments, and while matches can be suspended for other reasons, such as medical emergencies or extreme weather conditions, a widespread power cut is uncommon. Fans have witnessed delays caused by players needing treatment for injuries, or ball kids struggling in the heat, but this incident stands out due to the scale of the disruption caused by the outage. The situation was made even more unusual by the impact of the power failure on all the facilities.

As the outage affected a large portion of the country, it remained unclear when play would resume. Several key matches were scheduled for the day, including a clash between Jack Draper and Matteo Berrettini, as well as expected appearances from top players like Iga Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka. The Madrid Open will continue through Sunday, with the next major event on the tennis calendar being the tournament in Rome, which will follow the conclusion of this one.

Madrid Open halts play due to blackout and spider-cam issue

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