Chennai Open Finalist Raises Alarm Over AQI Of 1,556, Accuses Organisers Of Pushing Ahead With Match

The women’s singles final of the Chennai Open was postponed until Monday after severe smog and poor visibility disrupted the tournament in the city.

Indonesia’s Janice Tjen was due to take on Poland’s Magda Linette on Sunday, November 8, but hazardous air conditions and repeated weather interruptions forced officials to abandon the contest.

Tjen, the defending champion and world No. 75, expressed her frustration on social media by sharing a video of the conditions surrounding the venue. The footage showed a thick layer of smog covering the area, raising concerns about visibility and the safety of players.

The Indonesian player also questioned the organisers’ approach, alleging that they were keen to proceed with the final despite the deteriorating air quality. Her criticism followed several delays before officials eventually decided to postpone the match.

The final was originally scheduled to begin at 6:30 pm, following the doubles championship match. However, rain forced organisers to repeatedly revise the schedule. After the showers subsided, ground staff worked to make the centre court at the SDAT Stadium in Nungambakkam playable, with the match subsequently scheduled for 9 pm.

But conditions worsened when smoke from Diwali fireworks spread across the stadium, significantly affecting visibility. Both players briefly made their way onto the centre court carrying their equipment before returning to the locker rooms as the contest was called off.

According to PTI, a combination of rainfall and dense smoke from Diwali celebrations prevented the singles final from taking place. The preceding doubles final, however, was completed without disruption.

The Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) subsequently issued an official announcement confirming the postponement. The match between Tjen and Linette was rescheduled for 11 am on Monday, November 9, which had been designated as the tournament’s reserve day.

The Tamil Nadu Tennis Association also clarified that spectators holding valid tickets for Sunday’s matches could use the same tickets to watch the rescheduled final on Monday.

The third edition of the WTA 250 Chennai Open has faced repeated weather disruptions throughout the week. Rain washed out the entire main-draw schedule on the opening day, while proceedings were interrupted for around an hour on the second day as well.

The tournament is also set to leave Chennai after the 2026 edition. From 2027, the WTA event will move to Manila in the Philippines. The increasing popularity of Filipino tennis player Alexandra Eala and Chennai’s scheduling during the monsoon season are among the factors reportedly contributing to the relocation.