Chennai Open singles final postponed due to rain and smog
The WTA 250 tournament faced controversy after weather and Diwali firecracker pollution delayed the final match.
The WTA 250 Chennai Open singles final was postponed on Sunday evening due to rain and smog caused by Deepavali firecrackers, according to The Hindu and Sportstar. The match, originally scheduled for 6:30 pm at the SDAT stadium in Nungambakkam, was delayed three times by rain before being rescheduled for 9 pm. However, heavy smog from fireworks made the air quality hazardous, forcing the match to be moved to 11 am on Monday, November 9.
Poland’s Magda Linette defeated Indonesia’s Janice Tjen, the reigning champion, in three sets on Monday. Tjen, ranked 75 in the world, and Linette, ranked 68, competed on the tournament's reserve day after the Sunday disruption.
Coach Christopher Bint, who coaches Tjen, claimed on Instagram that organisers wanted to proceed with the match despite poor air quality, sharing a screenshot showing an AQI of 1556 in Chennai. Bint suggested the match could have been postponed earlier. Linette noted that the doubles final, which started at 4 pm on Sunday, could have been moved forward to allow more time.
Tournament director Hiten Joshi said the supervisor, Sheetal Iyer, had to seek permission from the WTA during the emergency. Joshi noted that factors such as broadcast, travel, and pre-arranged programmes were considered, as standard practice is to try to play as much as possible.
The Tamil Nadu Tennis Association announced that spectators with valid tickets for Sunday could use them to enter the venue on Monday.