Photo credit: www.theguardian.com
In a remarkable turn of events, Jacob Fearnley, a recent qualifier at the Madrid Open, found himself amidst an unprecedented situation on a memorable Monday afternoon. Despite his limited time as a professional player, he faced a scenario that would challenge even seasoned athletes.
While battling against the seasoned 14th seed, Grigor Dimitrov, Fearnley’s match was abruptly interrupted due to a significant power outage affecting Spain and Portugal, causing the entire tournament to halt. At the time, Dimitrov was leading 6-4, 5-4 in the Manolo Santana Stadium, forcing both players off the court. For Fearnley, this pause represented over 24 hours of contemplation regarding a pivotal service game. “It’s impossible not to overthink it,” he commented.
After approximately 10 hours of darkness, power was restored late Monday night, bringing relief to many in Madrid. The Caja Mágica regained electricity around 8 AM on Tuesday, allowing play to resume at noon.
Ultimately, Fearnley avoided the worst-case scenario of immediately losing his serve but struggled to regain his focus. Although his impressive journey from qualifying brought him a top-20 victory against Tomas Machac, he ultimately fell to Dimitrov with a score of 6-4, 7-6 (3). Reflecting on his performance, Fearnley expressed satisfaction in his handling of the unusual circumstances, but admitted, “Maybe I played that game a little bit too much in my head.”
The day the power went out is one that many players will remember. Frances Tiafoe, who was waiting for his match in the player restaurant, described the humorous confusion as more countries reported outages. “We thought it would be a 30-minute thing,” he recalled, amused as candles were placed on their table amidst the developing situation.
Some players were not yet in Madrid due to their scheduled matches being later in the day. Alex de Minaur opted for leisurely walks during the outage, while Jack Draper, who later advanced in the tournament, experienced the sudden darkness after a walk. “I returned to my hotel and everything went dark,” he recounted. “I had to climb 15 flights of stairs, which was a workout in itself.”
As players attempted to exit the venue following the cancellation of matches, the common areas filled with athletes waiting for rides to hotels that were far away. While some chose to walk, others lingered. Fearnley humorously mentioned his meal choices during the outage, remarking on the bread available. Tiafoe, however, was less satisfied with his nourishment, saying, “I ate complete bullshit, just a lot of chocolate.”
Despite the unusual delay, many players maintained a lighthearted perspective. Madison Keys noted that such surprises are just part of the sport. “It’s just one more random thing that happens during a tournament,” she said, adding how she spent her time napping and utilizing her phone before service was lost.
For Tiafoe, the experience was a reminder of the unpredictability of the sport, which he plans to share with future generations. “I survived Covid and a power outage while competing in Spain. You young kids have been through nothing,” he joked, reflecting on the day with a smile.
Source
www.theguardian.com