Coco Gauff shares ‘crazy’ shower experience during massive power outage in Madrid
Coco Gauff completed her fourth-round match against Belinda Bencic before the power failure caused the cancellation of matches.
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Coco Gauff (Image via X/The Tennis Letter)
On Monday (April 28), Spain witnessed a massive power outage, causing interruption to the tennis matches at the Madrid Open. Only three matches were held and the rest of them (22) were canceled. The rest of Monday’s matches will be held on Tuesday.
In Men’s events, only the match between Matteo Arnaldi and Damir Dzumhur was completed just before the blackout. While in WTA events, only two women’s matches were completed. Mirra Andreeva, the 18-year-old from Russia, who is bidding to win her third WTA 1000 title, knocked out Yuliia Starodubtseva 6-1, 6-4.
She has now set up a blockbuster clash with World No. 4 Coco Gauff, whose match against Belinda Bencic too was completed before the outage. Gauff, after her 6-4, 6-2 win, was giving her on-court interview when the mic stopped working due to the power cut. Later, Gauff revealed the difficulties she faced because of the power failure.
I just had to take baby wipes and wipe myself and spray some perfume and call it a day. I don’t think we’re even going to be able to go back to the hotel because the traffic lights are out. It’s just crazy how much we depend on electricity. It’s really insane and puts it in perspective. Also makes me think about the humans before electricity and how impressive that is.
Coco Gauff said at the press conference
Electricity later was restored in Madrid. Although the exact reason behind the power blackout is not known, according to Portuguese energy company REN, the outage was due to an atmospheric phenomenon, blaming quick temperature changes and the long period of extreme temperature. Portugal too has faced a widespread power outage.
Power outage during the Madrid Open will be etched in the memories of the players, says Coco Gauff
Emergency lights were used during the blackout, and in some cases, even candles. This sure was a new experience for the tennis players, and Coco Gauff thinks strange events like this will be etched in the memories of every player.
That’s tennis, that’s life. I feel like at this point this is only a situation you can laugh at if I was on court. Because it’s probably not going to happen ever again and we’ll always remember the day the power went out at Madrid Open.
Coco Gauff said at the press conference
The schedule for Tuesday is very tight. But Gauff and Mirra Andreeva won’t be playing on this day as their quarterfinal clash is scheduled to be held on Wednesday.
Coco Gauff versus Mirra Andreeva head-to-head record
Gauff and Andreeva have faced each other twice on the WTA Tour. Both of these matches they played in 2023 and Gauff emerged victorious on both these occasions.
They first met in the 2023 French Open third round, which the 2023 US Open champion won in three sets. Later, they met in the second round of the US Open and the match ended in favor of Gauff in straight sets.
Gauff last lifted a title at the 2024 WTA Finals. She kick-started her campaign for the 2025 season in an emphatic fashion, winning all her United Cup matches, including in the final against Iga Swiatek. But after losing the Australian Open quarterfinal to Paula Badosa, Gauff failed to win more than two matches in the next five tournaments she played, before registering her three consecutive wins at the Madrid Open.
The Russian ace, on the other hand, is chasing her third title of the season. She beat Clara Tauson to win the Dubai Open and became a two-time WTA 1000 champion after beating World No.1 Aryna Sabalenka in the Indian Wells final.
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