Coco Gauff expressed her feelings about her Madrid Open interview being unexpectedly interrupted by the extensive power outage in Spain. The American was interrupted mid-sentence because of the crisis, which also affected Portugal and various parts of Europe. “Make sure to record this in the history books; in all seriousness, I truly hope everyone remains safe,” she shared on X.
Even though the World No. 4 secured her place in the quarterfinals prior to the power outage that led to match cancellations, she was affected by the fiasco. After her victory, Gauff informed reporters that she had to skip a shower since there was no running water, leading her to use baby wipes instead. She also expressed worries about going back to her hotel because the traffic signals were not working. “There’s no running water, so I simply used baby wipes to clean myself, sprayed some perfume, and considered it done. I doubt we’ll be able to return to the hotel since the traffic lights are nonfunctional,” she stated during her press conference.
Coco Gauff finally returned to her hotel, but she and her team had to stroll back after crawling in the car for almost two hours. Despite her challenges, Coco Gauff handled the tough situation gracefully as she noted that the recollection of the power failure at the 2025 Madrid Open would remain unforgettable. “That’s tennis, that’s living. I believe that at this moment, this is only something you can find amusing if I were in court. Since it likely won’t occur again, we will always recall the day the electricity failed at the Madrid Open,” Gauff stated.
After her victory against Belinda Bencic, Gauff will face Mirra Andreeva in the quarterfinals of the WTA 1000 tournament. Andreeva triumphed over Yuliia Starodubtseva with scores of 6-1, 6-4 to secure the exciting matchup. Coco Gauff and Mirra Andreeva were able to finish their matches prior to the power outage, but their possible quarterfinal rivals, including Iga Swiatek and Madison Keys, experienced bad luck as their matches were called off for the day.
The blackout, which was reportedly caused by a fire at a power station and subsequent transmission failure, disrupted not only tennis matches but also major services across affected countries. Several areas in Spain and Portugal were plunged into darkness, with cities experiencing halted public transportation, downed communication services, and inaccessible digital platforms.
Madrid Open organizers scrambled to provide updates and safety measures for players, staff, and fans. Emergency lighting was employed in key areas, while players had to navigate their schedules amidst growing uncertainty. Tournament officials expressed regret for the inconvenience and confirmed efforts were underway to restore full functionality to the venue and surrounding infrastructure.
Fans at the venue also shared their experiences, many taking to social media to post images of darkened stands, phone lights, and halted video boards. Some attendees reported delays exiting the stadium due to malfunctioning gates and minimal visibility, while others described the scene as both chaotic and surreal.
For Gauff, the entire episode added an unexpected layer to what was otherwise a successful outing. Known for her poise under pressure, she remained upbeat and light-hearted throughout the ordeal. “It was definitely one of the weirdest days of my tennis career,” she later said. “You prepare for your opponent, not for a city-wide blackout.”
Despite the bizarre circumstances, Gauff maintained focus on the upcoming match. The quarterfinal against Mirra Andreeva is expected to be one of the most anticipated clashes of the tournament, pitting two of the sport’s brightest young talents against each other.
Meanwhile, tournament organizers confirmed that the remaining matches would resume as soon as full power is restored and player safety is guaranteed. Backup power systems and contingency scheduling were being considered to ensure the competition proceeds without further delay.
As Coco Gauff prepares to continue her campaign in Madrid, the memory of the power outage will remain a unique chapter in her career—a moment where sport, resilience, and circumstance collided on and off the.
