ATP doubles world No. 62 Fernando Romboli found himself in an unexpected and stressful situation during the Madrid Open when a nationwide blackout in Spain plunged the tournament into darkness. Romboli, who was traveling in an elevator at the time of the outage, ended up stuck inside for over half an hour.
The Brazilian doubles specialist managed to get a message out to his friends, alerting them to his situation. Thanks to quick communication and coordinated efforts, authorities were able to reach and rescue him safely — a moment that was captured on video and quickly circulated among tennis fans online and on his Instagram stories.
fernando romboli stuck in lift during madrid black out 👀 pic.twitter.com/DCdBOFW2tI
— fakemcgregor (@fakemcgregor1) April 29, 2025
The Madrid blackout didn’t just affect Romboli. Multiple players posted updates from different corners of the tournament site, sharing images and videos of the unexpected chaos caused by the power outage. From darkened locker rooms to non-functioning scoreboards, the blackout created a surreal and one-of-a-kind atmosphere at one of the ATP Tour’s biggest events.
Related: Coco Gauff Thrown Into Darkness as She Preps for a Shower During Madrid Open Blackout
Despite the scare, Romboli remained in good spirits after being freed, and the incident served as a reminder of the unpredictable challenges athletes can face even off the court. While players are used to battling opponents and tough conditions during matches, few could have imagined battling a power failure while trapped inside an elevator.
The Madrid Open organizers and Spanish authorities worked swiftly to restore power and ensure the safety of all players and staff. Play will eventually be resumed, after it was suspended for the entire yesterday without major disruptions to the tournament schedule.
For Romboli, it will surely be a Madrid Open to remember — not just for the tennis, but for an elevator ride that turned into an unforgettable adventure.
ATP doubles world No. 62 Fernando Romboli found himself in an unexpected and stressful situation during the Madrid Open when a nationwide blackout in Spain plunged the tournament into darkness. Romboli, who was traveling in an elevator at the time of the outage, ended up stuck inside for over half an hour.
The Brazilian doubles specialist managed to get a message out to his friends, alerting them to his situation. Thanks to quick communication and coordinated efforts, authorities were able to reach and rescue him safely — a moment that was captured on video and quickly circulated among tennis fans online and on his Instagram stories.
fernando romboli stuck in lift during madrid black out 👀 pic.twitter.com/DCdBOFW2tI
— fakemcgregor (@fakemcgregor1) April 29, 2025
The Madrid blackout didn’t just affect Romboli. Multiple players posted updates from different corners of the tournament site, sharing images and videos of the unexpected chaos caused by the power outage. From darkened locker rooms to non-functioning scoreboards, the blackout created a surreal and one-of-a-kind atmosphere at one of the ATP Tour’s biggest events.
Related: Coco Gauff Thrown Into Darkness as She Preps for a Shower During Madrid Open Blackout
Despite the scare, Romboli remained in good spirits after being freed, and the incident served as a reminder of the unpredictable challenges athletes can face even off the court. While players are used to battling opponents and tough conditions during matches, few could have imagined battling a power failure while trapped inside an elevator.
The Madrid Open organizers and Spanish authorities worked swiftly to restore power and ensure the safety of all players and staff. Play will eventually be resumed, after it was suspended for the entire yesterday without major disruptions to the tournament schedule.
For Romboli, it will surely be a Madrid Open to remember — not just for the tennis, but for an elevator ride that turned into an unforgettable adventure.
