Iga Swiatek shares what she did during massive power failure at Madrid Open

Poland’s Iga Swiatek revealed how she spent the day in Madrid after a major power failure. As many as four countries in Europe, including Spain, Portugal, and France, suffered a major power outage on Monday.

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. Power was restored in the vast majority of areas affected by the breakdown.

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. On Tuesday, the action resumed as the reigning world number two, Swiatek, cemented her spot in the last-eight after beating Russia’s Diana Shnaider in the last-16 clash with a score of 6-0, 6-7, 6-4. Talking after the match, the five-time Grand Slam winner shared how she spent the day on Monday when there was no electricity.

“Honestly its good that in Madrid, the sun sets in pretty late,” she said. “As soon as it was kind a get down, it was dark. They put the energy back in our area so honestly, I just chilled and used that time to not think about what I should do.. There was no signal. So no one used their phones… it was nice.”

Swiatek will now face America’s Madison Keys in the quarterfinals of the event. The 30-year-old cemented her place in the last eight after beating Donna Vekic of Croatia in straight sets with a score of 6-2, 6-3. This will be the seventh meeting between the two players. In the previous six meetings, Swiatek has an edge as she emerged victorious on four occasions.