In Madrid, Mirra Andreeva`s match was interrupted by a power outage on Monday afternoon while she was serving for the victory.
Andreeva described the moment: “It was 15-40 on my serve. I thought, `Oh, Mirra, please – please – do everything you can to win this game and end the match.` I knew if it went to 5-5, we`d likely face a delay, and I`d still be here.”
Coco Gauff had already completed her match against Belinda Bencic, winning 6-4, 6-2. She was giving her post-match interview when the microphone stopped working. Security personnel promptly escorted her to the players` lounge.
“It was completely dark, and I quickly understood the power was off,” Gauff stated. “I initially thought it was just our area, but then I realized it affected the whole country – that`s unbelievable.”
The outage, it turned out, wasn`t limited to Spain but extended across much of Europe, impacting millions. The initial cause was unclear, though early reports suggested problems with the European electricity grid.
Consequently, Andreeva, who secured a 6-1, 6-4 victory over Yuliia Starodubtseva (with line calls made by the chair umpire), and Gauff were the only players to reach the Mutua Madrid Open quarterfinals on the planned schedule. They are set to face each other later in the tournament.
“The last time we played on clay was at Roland Garros in 2023,” Andreeva recalled. “The first set was close, but after that, the match wasn`t competitive. She didn`t let me get a look in. But that was two years ago, so I`m really looking forward to seeing how my game has changed, not seeking revenge, but expecting an exciting match.”
Andreeva has reached the quarterfinals for the second consecutive year.
“This year, I aim to go further,” she stated. “I will do my utmost to win.”
While significant disruption occurred outside the venue – with internet, trains, and airports all non-operational – inside, the players found a sense of camaraderie through their shared situation.
“Everyone was using their phones for light,” Andreeva commented, “but it was also quite enjoyable because everyone was talking together, and the atmosphere was somewhat more friendly.”
Gauff added, “I was thinking the exact same thing. Usually, we`re focused on preparing for our matches, everyone is concentrated, and we respect that. But I was talking with Frances [Tiafoe], Mirra, Diana [Shnaider], and Maddy [Keys].”
“This kind of situation is lighthearted; nobody knows when they`ll get back on court.”
Mirra Andreeva ends Starodubtseva run to return to Madrid quarters
“This is my first power outage,” said Andreeva, who was glad to have a book and Uno cards to occupy herself. “It`s actually quite exciting because I`ve never gone through anything like this. I`m extremely happy they scheduled me first, so I could finish everything on time.
“But I don`t want to stay the night here and sleep in the gym,” she added, “we`ll just wait to hear what they tell us and proceed from there.”
Not everyone was as fortunate. Grigor Dimitrov`s match against qualifier Jacob Fearnley in Manolo Santana Stadium was halted while he was serving for the win.
“That`s tennis, that`s life,” remarked Gauff. “At this point, I feel it`s just a situation you can laugh about, especially if I had still been on court. It`s likely a unique event that won`t happen again, and we`ll definitely remember the day the power failed at the Madrid Open.”
The previous day, Sunday, Gauff had asked organizers to schedule her match second on the order of play.
“But I`m actually glad that request wasn`t fulfilled,” she said with a laugh. “Credit to the WTA supervisors for making what turned out to be the correct decision for me.”
The biggest inconvenience she faced immediately after the match, she mentioned, was being unable to take a shower.
“There was no running water, so I just had to use baby wipes,” Gauff explained, “then spray some perfume and that was it. I don`t even think we`ll be able to return to the hotel because the traffic lights aren`t working.”
“It`s simply astonishing how much we rely on electricity; it`s truly incredible and puts things in perspective,” she concluded. “It also makes me consider life before electricity and how remarkable that was.”
