ATP 175 Challengers event continued behind closed doors despite major blackout across Europe

The ATP 175 Challengers event in France continued behind closed doors despite a major power failure. On Monday, several European countries experienced a major power outage, including Spain, Portugal, and France.

The failure led to traffic jams in the Spanish capital, as per the BBC. In Portugal, it was reported that trains and traffic lights were affected due to the major failure. The whole episode left millions in the dark in different countries. Later in the day, Spani declared a state of emergency to address the developing situation.

The failure ultimately affected tennis events in various countries as well. In Spain, the ATP and WTA 1000 event — the Madrid Open — featured just three matches on Monday out of the possible 16. The remaining matches were postponed to Tuesday.

However, in France, an ATP 175 Challenger event continued throughout the day. The Open Aix Provence Crédit Agricole competition’s qualifying round started on Monday, where eight matches were played. As soon as the power failure took place, the authorities decided to force the audience to leave the arena and the remaining matches were played behind closed doors, according to a report published by the English media outlet Daily Express.

“Good afternoon, Considering the context, we were forced by the authorities to declare today's session closed (matches will continue behind closed doors),” the statement read from the organisers of the competition. “We appreciate your understanding and hope that tomorrow the country can wake up to the normality we all wish for.”

The ATP 175 Challengers event will feature some big-name players who have already suffered a defeat in the Madrid Open. World number 19 Canada’s Felix Auger-Aliassime, who lost in the round of 64 of the ongoing ATP 1000 event in the Spanish capital to Juan Manuel Cerundolo in straight sets with a score of 7-6, 6-4, will feature in the competition. Young tennis sensation Brazil’s Joao Fonseca, who suffered a defeat in the second round of the Madrid Open to America’s Tommy Paul, will also take part in the competition.