Musa
While the Madrid Open faced unexpected chaos following a sudden blackout that left much of the tournament infrastructure scrambling, British tennis player Jack Draper found peace in the silence. In a world where players are often glued to their phones between matches and fans clamor for updates online, the outage created an unusual kind of calm — one that Draper embraced.
“Honestly, it was so nice to have no phones,” Draper said with a smile after his match. While others were frustrated by the lack of Wi-Fi, broken communications, and missed updates, Draper saw it as a welcome reset. “It gave me a chance to really be present, to focus on the game, and to enjoy the atmosphere without all the distractions.”
The blackout, which occurred late Tuesday evening, affected various parts of the venue, including media centers and practice facilities. Social media fell silent, press rooms dimmed, and even live scoring went offline. For a brief moment, the high-tech, high-pressure world of professional tennis slowed down.
Draper’s attitude stood out. His grounded response resonated with fans and commentators alike, offering a reminder of the mental toll constant connectivity can have — even on athletes. While Madrid organizers rushed to restore systems, Draper found strength in the unplugged moment, delivering a focused, clinical performance on court.
In the age of digital everything, Draper’s throwback mindset proved a surprising advantage — and maybe, a lesson for us all.
Musa
Olaniyi Ayoola