Five-time Grand Slam champion Iga Swiatek has offered a refreshing perspective on the bizarre power outage that disrupted the Madrid Open this week. The Polish star, chasing her first WTA title of 2025, has endured a season of near-misses, reaching quarterfinals or deeper at every event—including the Australian Open, Qatar Open, Dubai Tennis Championships, Indian Wells Masters, Miami Open, and Stuttgart Open—but falling short of the final hurdle each time.
Now, at the Madrid Open, Swiatek has advanced to the quarterfinals, where she’ll face American World No. 5 Madison Keys, the same opponent who dashed her Australian Open hopes earlier this year. As she gears up for the clash, Swiatek shared her candid thoughts on the tournament’s unexpected blackout, caused by a rare atmospheric phenomenon—and how she spent the downtime.
Iga Swiatek’s unplugged moment amid Madrid’s chaos
During her post-match press conference, Swiatek reflected on the surreal Monday when Madrid’s electricity grid faltered, plunging parts of the city—and the tournament—into darkness.
“Honestly, yesterday I think the whole world was more relaxed,” she quipped, describing the unexpected pause in play.
The outage struck as daylight faded, but Iga Swiatek revealed organizers swiftly restored power in her area once night fell.
For the World No. 2, the blackout became an unlikely opportunity to unwind. “Honestly, I just chilled, and used that time to not think about what I should do. [There was] no signal—it was nice, I liked it,” she admitted, highlighting the rare chance to disconnect from the pressures of competition.
Battling through adversity
The outage came amid Swiatek’s gritty campaign in Madrid. After surviving a three-set thriller against Alexandra Eala in the second round, she edged past Linda Noskova and then overcame 21-year-old Diana Shnaider in a rollercoaster 6-0, 6-7, 6-4 victory. Despite the turbulence, Iga Swiatek praised her adaptability:
“Today was a tricky day, but I’m happy I’m through. I played well and found a way, even though in the second set I started playing a bit worse than the first.”
Adjusting to Madrid’s demands
The reigning French Open champion also addressed the challenges of Madrid’s unique conditions. “When it’s getting hotter, you need to control the ball a little bit more,” she explained, acknowledging the impact of temperature swings on gameplay. Her ability to adjust mid-match has been critical, and she remains optimistic:
“I’m through to the quarters, so you can say I adjusted. I’m happy I’ll have another chance to play here.”
Madison Keys Rematch: Redemption or repeat?
Swiatek’s upcoming showdown with Madison Keys carries added weight. The American handed her a heartbreaking semifinal loss in Melbourne, and Madrid’s clay offers Swiatek a shot at payback. With her relaxed mindset post-blackout and renewed focus, the Pole appears primed to break her 2025 title drought.
Though trophies have eluded her this year, Iga Swiatek’s consistency is undeniable. From Stuttgart’s shock quarterfinal exit to Jelena Ostapenko to her current Madrid run, she’s proven her ability to rebound. The power outage saga—a quirky subplot in her journey—underscores her knack for finding calm in chaos.