Chennai Open 2026After winning the Chennai Open title, Poland’s Magda Linette has raised questions regarding the organizers. She stated that while the decision to postpone the final due to pollution caused by Diwali fireworks was the right one, the tournament schedule could have been planned better.
The 34-year-old player has secured a title after more than two years. On Monday in Chennai, she defeated the defending champion, Jil Teichmann, with a score of 5-7, 6-1, 6-4.
Final Postponed by 24 Hours Due to Pollution
The women’s singles final was originally scheduled for November 8, but it was postponed by 24 hours due to rain and poor air quality. A thick haze had blanketed the entire city following the bursting of firecrackers during Diwali, leading to questions regarding the decision to schedule the final for the day of the festival.
Chennai Open Champion Questions Organizers
After winning the final on November 9, Magda Linette remarked that postponing the match by a day—given the pollution and health concerns—was the right decision. However, she noted that the scheduling could have been handled better. She acknowledged that had they played on November 8 amidst such severe pollution, they would not have been able to deliver a performance of the same caliber as they did on November 9.
Magda Linette, winner of the 2026 Chennai Open title, supported the decision to postpone the match but did not hesitate to share her feedback with the organizers.
She suggested that instead of postponing the match, it could have been played earlier in the day—before the bursting of firecrackers—and added that this should be taken into account in the future.
Finalist Janice Tjen also questioned the organizers
Following the postponement of the Chennai Open final, Indonesian player Janice Tjen also raised questions regarding the organizers' handling of the situation. Citing an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 1556 in Chennai, she expressed her displeasure on social media.
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