Key points
- Persistent rain forced a complete washout of the opening day of the WTA 250 Chennai Open main draw on Monday, November 2, 2026.
- None of the 10 matches scheduled for Monday — seven singles and three doubles — could be played as drizzle developed into a heavy downpour.
- Organisers rescheduled all 16 first-round singles matches for Tuesday, November 3, with play scheduled to begin at 11am.
- WTA supervisor Sheetal Iyer explored the possibility of starting matches later on Monday, but no match could begin after 11pm.
- The disruption came during Chennai’s northeast monsoon spell, with severe cyclonic storm Murasu over the Bay of Bengal and an IMD orange alert for heavy to very heavy rain.
- Indian players Sahaja Yamalapalli and Maaya Rajeshwaran Revathi were among those affected by the revised schedule.
Persistent rain forced a complete washout of the opening day of the main draw at the WTA 250 Chennai Open on Monday, November 2, with none of the 10 scheduled matches possible. Afternoon drizzle developed into a heavy downpour, leaving the courts at the SDAT Tennis Stadium unplayable and prompting organisers to revise the tournament schedule.
All 10 matches called off
The main-draw programme was scheduled to begin at 3pm and featured seven singles matches and three doubles matches. However, the rain did not ease enough to allow play to start. Officials monitored conditions through the afternoon and evening, but the courts remained unsuitable for competition.
WTA supervisor Sheetal Iyer explored the possibility of getting at least some matches underway later in the evening if the weather improved. The organisers faced a strict limit, however, as no match could begin after 11pm. With the downpour continuing and the available window closing, the entire day's programme was abandoned.
The washout affected players across both draws. India's Sahaja Yamalapalli was scheduled to play a singles match, while Maaya Rajeshwaran Revathi was due to feature in doubles. Their appearances, along with the rest of Monday's programme, had to be moved as the tournament sought to recover lost playing time.
Sixteen singles matches moved to Tuesday
Organisers rescheduled all 16 first-round singles matches for Tuesday, November 3, with play set to begin at 11am. The revised schedule creates a crowded day as the tournament attempts to complete the opening round after losing the entire first day of main-draw action.
The original Monday schedule had seven singles and three doubles matches, while Tuesday's revised programme is set to feature all 16 first-round singles matches. The doubles schedule is also affected by the disruption, with the tournament needing to adjust its order of play to fit the remaining rounds into the available days.
The schedule change means players and officials will have to adapt to a compressed tournament calendar. The order of play can be adjusted further depending on the weather and court conditions, so players and spectators will need to follow official tournament updates for any additional changes.
Monsoon and Cyclone Murasu add to weather concerns
The disruption came during an active northeast monsoon spell in Chennai. Severe cyclonic storm Murasu was over the west-central Bay of Bengal, adding to concerns about continued rainfall. The India Meteorological Department had issued an orange alert for Chennai, forecasting heavy to very heavy rain.
Murasu was moving towards the south Andhra Pradesh coast, with landfall expected late on Monday or in the early hours of Tuesday, according to reports around the tournament. The weather conditions created uncertainty not only for the opening day but also for the organisers' ability to complete the revised schedule without further delays.
Tournament director Hiten Joshi acknowledged the difficulty of staging the event during this period of the year. He said organisers were aware of Chennai's weather conditions but had no alternative slot available on the WTA calendar for the country's biggest women's tennis event.
Rain disruption recalls last year's edition
The Chennai Open had also faced weather interruptions during the opening two days of the previous year's edition. The latest washout therefore brings back a familiar scheduling challenge for the tournament, which is held during the northeast monsoon season.
For players, the delay means a change in preparation and match rhythm, particularly for those scheduled to play singles and doubles. For organisers, the immediate task is to fit the postponed matches into the remaining tournament window while keeping the draw on track.
With the first-round singles matches moved to Tuesday from 11am, the tournament will aim to get its main draw underway as soon as conditions permit. The weather around Chennai remains a key factor in how smoothly the revised programme can proceed.
Frequently asked questions
Why was the Chennai Open opening day washed out?
Persistent rain prevented play at the WTA 250 Chennai Open on November 2, 2026. Afternoon drizzle developed into a heavy downpour, leaving the courts unplayable. The disruption came during Chennai’s northeast monsoon spell, with Cyclone Murasu adding to the weather concerns.
How many matches were cancelled at the Chennai Open on Monday?
All 10 matches scheduled for Monday were called off, with no play possible. The programme had seven singles matches and three doubles matches. Organisers then revised the schedule to accommodate the first-round singles matches on Tuesday.
When will the Chennai Open matches resume?
The revised schedule has all 16 first-round singles matches being played on Tuesday, November 3, with play scheduled to begin at 11am. The revised programme follows the complete washout of Monday’s main-draw schedule.
Which Indian players were affected by the Chennai Open rain delay?
Indian players Sahaja Yamalapalli and Maaya Rajeshwaran Revathi were among those whose schedules were affected. Sahaja was due to play a singles match, while Maaya was scheduled for doubles action in the tournament.
What role did Cyclone Murasu play in the Chennai Open disruption?
The washout occurred amid the northeast monsoon and severe cyclonic storm Murasu over the Bay of Bengal. The India Meteorological Department had issued an orange alert for Chennai, forecasting heavy to very heavy rainfall as the weather system moved towards the south Andhra Pradesh coast.
Why could organisers not continue matches late on Monday?
Officials explored the possibility of starting some matches later if the weather improved, but no match was permitted to begin after 11pm. With persistent rain leaving the courts unplayable and the available time running out, the organisers called off the day's programme.