Play at the Italian Open was delayed due to smoke from fireworks at the Coppa Italia final. The surreal scene unfolded at Foro Italico in Rome on May 14, 2026.
Key points
Play was delayed at the Italian Open
Delay caused by smoke from Coppa Italia fireworks
Incident occurred on May 14, 2026
Event took place at Foro Italico, Rome
Luciano Darderi was playing against Rafael Jodar
Mentioned in this story
Foro ItalicoRome
Italian OpenCoppa ItaliaLuciano DarderiRafael Jodar
Tennis - Italian Open - Foro Italico, Rome, Italy - May 14, 2026 General view as play is delayed due to smoke coming from Coppa Italia final REUTERS/Claudia Greco
Tennis - Italian Open - Foro Italico, Rome, Italy - May 14, 2026 Italy's Luciano Darderi reacts during his quarter final match against Spain's Rafael Jodar REUTERS/Claudia Greco
Tennis - Italian Open - Foro Italico, Rome, Italy - May 14, 2026 Spain's Rafael Jodar in action during his quarter final match against Italy's Luciano Darderi REUTERS/Claudia Greco
Soccer Football - Serie B - Venezia FC Celebrate Promotion to Serie A - Venice, Italy - May 9, 2026 Venezia FC players celebrate on a gondola after winning promotion to Serie A REUTERS/Manuel Silvestri
Soccer Football - Serie B - Venezia FC Celebrate Promotion to Serie A - Venice, Italy - May 9, 2026 Venezia FC's Michael Svoboda celebrates with a trophy and teammates on a gondola after winning promotion to Serie A REUTERS/Manuel Silvestri
Q&A
What caused the smoke delay at the Italian Open?
The smoke delay at the Italian Open was caused by fireworks from the Coppa Italia final.
When did the smoke delay occur during the Italian Open?
The smoke delay occurred on May 14, 2026, during the Italian Open at Foro Italico in Rome.
Which players were involved during the delay at the Italian Open?
Italy's Luciano Darderi was playing against Spain's Rafael Jodar during the delay.
Where is the Italian Open held?
The Italian Open is held at Foro Italico in Rome, Italy.
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Soccer Football - Serie B - Venezia FC Celebrate Promotion to Serie A - Venice, Italy - May 9, 2026 Venezia FC fans celebrate after winning promotion to Serie A REUTERS/Manuel Silvestri
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A handout image released on May 13, 2026, shows a picture of an 800-year-old skull, believed to be that of Saint Zdislava of Lemberk, in Jablonne v Podjestedi, Czech Republic. An unknown thief stole the skull from a display box in a church in the northern Czech Republic, police said on Wednesday. Police of the Czech Republic/Handout via REUTERS
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A competitor takes part in the sixth edition of the European seagull screeching championship, in which contestants compete either solo or as part of a group and are judged by a jury for vocal skills and performance, in De Panne, Belgium April 26, 2026. REUTERS/Yves Herman
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Italian Open
Tennis - Italian Open - Foro Italico, Rome, Italy - May 14, 2026 General view as play is delayed due to smoke coming from Coppa Italia final REUTERS/Claudia Greco
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Italian Open
Tennis - Italian Open - Foro Italico, Rome, Italy - May 14, 2026 General view as play is delayed due to smoke coming from Coppa Italia final REUTERS/Claudia Greco
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Italian Open
Tennis - Italian Open - Foro Italico, Rome, Italy - May 14, 2026 Italy's Luciano Darderi reacts during his quarter final match against Spain's Rafael Jodar REUTERS/Claudia Greco
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Tennis - Italian Open - Foro Italico, Rome, Italy - May 14, 2026 Spain's Rafael Jodar in action during his quarter final match against Italy's Luciano Darderi REUTERS/Claudia Greco
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A handout image released on May 13, 2026, shows a picture of an 800-year-old skull, believed to be that of Saint Zdislava of Lemberk, in Jablonne v Podjestedi, Czech Republic. An unknown thief stole the skull from a display box in a church in the northern Czech Republic, police said on Wednesday. Police of the Czech Republic/Handout via REUTERS
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Unknown thief steals 800-year-old skull, believed to be that of Saint Zdislava of Lemberk, in Jablonne v Podjestedi
A broken display case after an unknown thief stole an 800-year-old skull believed to be that of Saint Zdislava of Lemberk, in Jablonne v Podjestedi, Czech Republic, in this handout image released on May 13, 2026. Police of the Czech Republic/Handout via REUTERS
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European seagull screeching championship in De Panne
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European seagull screeching championship in De Panne
A competitor takes part in the sixth edition of the European seagull screeching championship, in which contestants compete either solo or as part of a group and are judged by a jury for vocal skills and performance, in De Panne, Belgium. REUTERS/Yves Herman
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European seagull screeching championship in De Panne
A competitor takes part in the sixth edition of the European seagull screeching championship, in which contestants compete either solo or as part of a group and are judged by a jury for vocal skills and performance, in De Panne, Belgium April 26, 2026. REUTERS/Yves Herman
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European seagull screeching championship in De Panne
A competitor takes part in the sixth edition of the European seagull screeching championship, in which contestants compete either solo or as part of a group and are judged by a jury for vocal skills and performance, in De Panne, Belgium April 26, 2026. REUTERS/Yves Herman
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European seagull screeching championship in De Panne
A competitor takes part in the sixth edition of the European seagull screeching championship, in which contestants compete either solo or as part of a group and are judged by a jury for vocal skills and performance, in De Panne, Belgium April 26, 2026. REUTERS/Yves Herman
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FILE PHOTO: A tourist watches monkeys on the top of the Rock in the British overseas territory of Gibraltar
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FILE PHOTO: Macaques sit together with an infant at the Rock in the British overseas territory of Gibraltar
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FILE PHOTO: Gibraltar monkeys play on the top of the Rock of Gibraltar overlooking the colony
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FILE PHOTO: A monkey asks for food on the top of the Rock in the British overseas territory of Gibraltar
FILE PHOTO: A monkey asks for food on the top of the Rock in the British overseas territory of Gibraltar, historically claimed by Spain April 18, 2018. REUTERS/Jon Nazca/File Photo
May 13 (Reuters) - The Italian Open quarter-final between Italy's Luciano Darderi and Spain's Rafael Jodar was interrupted in bizarre circumstances on Wednesday when smoke from fireworks at the neighbouring Stadio Olimpico drifted across the Foro Italico.
Jodar was leading 6-5 in the opening set when thick clouds of smoke drifted onto the centre court from Rome's Stadio Olimpico, where Inter Milan beat Lazio 2-0 in the Coppa Italia final, severely reducing visibility and briefly knocking out the tournament's electronic line-calling system.
Play was halted for almost 20 minutes as officials waited for conditions to improve and for the system to reset.
Television images showed the court shrouded in haze, with players and spectators struggling to follow the action as smoke lingered above the clay.
The late-night scenes added to a chaotic day in Rome after heavy rain earlier caused a delay of around two and a half hours, leaving players competing well into the evening.
(Reporting by Janina Nuno Rios in Mexico CityEditing by Toby Davis)