The Italian Open descended into chaos on Tuesday night with a blanket of fog caused by the Coppa Italia final causing play to be suspended.
The tennis tournament, a key event in the build up to the French Open, is hosted at Rome’s Stadio Centrale de Tennis in the heart of the city, with the Stadio Olimpico situated just 500 metres away inside the Foro Italico sports complex.
On Tuesday night events were held simultaneously at both venues – with Spanish youngster Rafael Jodar battling it out against Italy’s Luciano Darderi while Inter Milan took on Lazio in the Coppa Italia final at the neighbouring stadium.
And play was interrupted during the quarter final on the clay court after smoke caused by fireworks let off following Inter’s 2-0 triumph led to a technology failure.
The smoke meant that the stadium’s electronic line calling technology was no longer available to the umpire, while visibility issues hampered both players.
Play was suspended at the Italian Open due to smoke caused by fireworks at the Coppa Italia
Inter Milan’s celebrations at the neighouring Stadio Olimpico caused technology failure during the Italian Open
Darderi complained of the worsening conditions to the chair umpire who called a halt to proceedings.
The Italian took on an espresso during the impromptu break.
Tennis journalist Bastien Fachan shared a video of the scenes inside the tennis arena on X.
‘Play is currently suspended in Rome because the Coppa Italia final was held 500 meters away and they shot off fireworks at the final whistle, liberating so much smoke that it’s now impossible for Jodar and Darderi to play.’
After an approximate 20 minute delay, the match resumed with Darderi taking the first set against Jodar – the youngest Rome quarter finalist since compatriot Rafael Nadal in 2005.
He is also only the second teenager to reach the quarter finals in Madrid and Rome in the same season since Nadal, also 21 years ago.
‘I am super happy,’ Jodar said after his round of 16 win over Learner Tien. ‘I just try to play the matches and be focused on what I have to do. I am super happy with how I handled the important moments in this match. Learner is a tough opponent.’
