Tennis Star’s Elevator Horror
- MADRID - A widespread power outage in Spain caused disruptions at the madrid Open, leaving one player trapped in an elevator and affecting match play and venue operations.
- Fernando Romboli, a doubles specialist, experienced an unexpected delay when he became stuck in an elevator during the power failure.
- The Brazilian player found himself trapped for approximately 30 minutes.
Madrid Open Disrupted by Power Outage; Player Stranded in Elevator
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MADRID – A widespread power outage in Spain caused disruptions at the madrid Open, leaving one player trapped in an elevator and affecting match play and venue operations.
Tennis Player Endures Elevator Ordeal
Fernando Romboli, a doubles specialist, experienced an unexpected delay when he became stuck in an elevator during the power failure. Romboli,who recently won an ATP tournament in Houston wiht partner john-Patrick Smith,was in Madrid as an alternate.
The Brazilian player found himself trapped for approximately 30 minutes. Romboli, currently ranked 62nd in the world in doubles, took to Instagram to share his experience. “Stuck 30 minutes in the elevator… If a substitute player is needed now, I can’t make it in time,” he wrote.

Power failure Impacts Tournament Operations
The power outage extended beyond Romboli’s elevator mishap, affecting various aspects of the Madrid Open. Belinda Bencic managed to conclude her match against Coco Gauff just before the microphone system failed during the post-match interview.
Reports indicate that Gauff had to walk back to her hotel after leaving the arena due to traffic congestion around the Caja Magica, the tournament venue.
Other technical issues arose as well. The “Spider Cam,” a camera suspended above center court, became immobilized. Additionally, the electronic line calling system malfunctioned.Concession stands also experienced power loss, impacting sales.
Bencic posted a photo on her Instagram account showing empty supermarket shelves, commenting, “While I try to find water.”
Romboli was eventually freed from the elevator after half an hour. A video he shared on social media documenting the incident quickly gained traction.
Madrid Open Disrupted by Power Outage: Your Questions Answered
What Happened at the Madrid Open?
The Madrid Open, a premier tennis tournament, was significantly disrupted by a power outage in Spain on April 30, 2025. The outage impacted match play, venue operations, and even left one player stranded in an elevator.
Which Tennis player Was Stuck in the Elevator?
Fernando Romboli, a doubles specialist ranked 62nd in the world, was stuck in an elevator for approximately 30 minutes due to the power failure. He shared his experience on Instagram, noting that if a substitute player was needed, he wouldn’t have been able to make it in time. He had recently won an ATP tournament in Houston with doubles partner John-Patrick Smith, and was in Madrid as an alternate.
How Did the Power Outage Affect the Madrid Open?
The power outage caused several problems at the Madrid Open, including:
Match Disruptions: Match play was affected.
Elevator Malfunction: Fernando Romboli was trapped in an elevator.
Technical Issues: The “Spider Cam” (camera suspended above center court) became immobilized,and the electronic line calling system malfunctioned.
Operational Issues: Concession stands experienced power loss, affecting sales.
Transportation Issues: Coco Gauff had to walk back to her hotel from the arena due to traffic congestion.
Post-Match interview issues: The microphone system failed
Where Was the Madrid Open 2025 held?
The tournament venue mentioned in the article is the Caja Mágica.
What Did Other Players experience During the Outage?
Belinda Bencic managed to finish her match against Coco Gauff just before the microphone system failed during the post-match interview. Bencic later posted a photo on Instagram showing empty supermarket shelves. Coco Gauff had to walk back to her hotel after leaving the arena.
Were Any Matches cancelled?
The article doesn’t mention any specific matches being cancelled. However, given the widespread impact, it’s highly probable that schedules were altered and delays occurred.
Fernando Romboli shared his elevator experience on Instagram, which quickly gained traction. Belinda Bencic posted a photo of empty supermarket shelves, highlighting the wider impact of the outage beyond the tournament itself.
