On February 26, 2025, a massive power outage halted play at the Movistar Chile Open in Santiago, Chile. The blackout struck over 90% of the country, leading to a state of emergency. Matches involving players like Federico Coria and Marcelo Tomas Barrios were suspended as tournament organizers complied with governmental evacuation orders. Power restoration began swiftly, allowing the tournament to resume the next day.

A nationwide power outage in Chile on February 26, 2025, brought play to a standstill at the Movistar Chile Open in Santiago. Over 90% of the population was affected, leading to severe disruptions and government declaration of a state of emergency. Matches were paused, including one featuring Argentine Federico Coria against Chile’s Marcelo Tomas Barrios Vera, due to issues with power and electronic systems despite initial efforts to continue using backup generators.

Initially, the ATP 250 event managed to persist in play, but glitches in technologies utilized for line-calling and scoring began complicating proceedings. As the blackout, the most extensive since 2010, escalated, authorities mandated evacuation of the venue to comply with the curfew imposed from 10 p.m. until 6 a.m. the following day.

Coria’s match against Barrios was leading at 6-1, while another clash between Francisco Comesana and Felipe Meligeni Alves awaited rescheduling, currently paused at 7-6 (0), 1-2. The tournament organizers acknowledged the emergency and complied with government directives to suspend matches and vacate the premises for safety.

The blackout, which affected around 8 million homes in 14 regions, was caused by a disruption in high-voltage transmission lines. By the next day, over 90% of residential power was reported restored by the National Electricity Coordinator. Matches resumed the following day, restoring progress in the tournament, with Coria facing Barrios and Alves competing against Comesana in their respective rounds.

The events at the Movistar Chile Open exemplify the impact of unexpected national crises on sporting events. A significant outage, leading to a suspension of matches and a state of emergency, underscores the need for efficient emergency protocols during major events. Despite the interruption, normal play resumed promptly, reflecting the tournament’s resilience and commitment to athlete safety.

Original Source: www.tennis.com