QUICK TAKE | Diwali Smoke Delayed the Chennai Open Final. Was the AQI Really 1,556? Seven Things to Know
Why was the Chennai Open final postponed?
Rain delayed the November 8 singles final at Chennai’s SDAT Tennis Stadium. Organisers moved the start from 6.30 pm to 9 pm, but smoke from Diwali fireworks reduced visibility. Both players left the court without a point being played.
What did Janice Tjen say?
The defending champion reposted a photo from her coach, Chris Bint, showing the haze and an AQI reading of 1,556. His caption read, “And they still wanted the match to go ahead.” The Indian Express reported that both finalists raised concerns with the tournament supervisor.
Did Chennai’s official AQI hit 1,556?
India’s official AQI scale tops out at 500. Chennai’s citywide reading on November 8 was 138, in the moderate category, according to CPCB data cited by Scroll. The source and calculation behind the 1,556 screenshot were unclear.
Could the air at the court have been worse than the citywide reading?
A citywide figure can miss a short-lived spike at a particular venue. Comparing the two readings would require knowing where and when the air was sampled, which pollutants were measured and how each index was calculated.
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What did official monitors show the next morning?
Several neighbourhoods recorded poor air quality. Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board readings put Manali at 277, Arumbakkam at 264, Kodungaiyur at 220 and Velachery at 202.
How did the haze affect play?
Broadcasters raised concerns about visibility, according to The Indian Express. The disruption had begun before the final. After her semi-final, Tjen said the sound of crackers had made it harder to concentrate.
Who won the rescheduled final?
Poland’s Magda Linette beat Indonesia’s Janice Tjen 5–7, 6–1, 6–4 on November 9, ending the top seed’s title defence. Linette had finished runner-up in Chennai in 2022.