Chennai, Nov 9:
Indonesia’s defending champion Janice Tjen voiced strong concerns regarding Chennai’s deteriorating air quality after the women’s singles final of the WTA 250 Chennai Open was postponed to Monday following persistent rain disruptions and post-Deepavali smog.
The title clash against Linda Fruhvirtova at the SDAT Stadium in Nungambakkam was delayed thrice on Sunday due to intermittent downpours. Although court drying operations were completed and a revised 9 pm start was scheduled, officials ultimately called off play an hour later as dense smoke from Deepavali firecrackers settled over the open-air arena, sharply reducing visibility and pushing air quality into the hazardous zone.
Tjen shared her frustration on social media by reposting a statement from her coach Christopher Bint, accompanied by a screenshot showing an Air Quality Index (AQI) reading of 1,556 in Chennai: “And they still wanted the match to go ahead.”
The Tamil Nadu Tennis Association announced that Sunday ticket holders can access the venue for Monday’s rescheduled finale. The match represents the tournament’s concluding edition in India before relocating to Manila, Philippines, in 2027.