Tennis Players Evacuate Fujairah Challenger Courts in Dubai After Explosions Heard Nearby

Daniil Medvedev and Andrey Rublev are trapped in Dubai due to the ongoing turmoil in the Middle East.

Tennis Players Evacuate Fujairah Challenger Courts in Dubai After Explosions Heard Nearby

Players and officials at Fujairah Challenger (via ATP)

In Short
  • Players evacuated the Fujairah Challenger courts in the UAE after explosions were heard nearby.
  • The UAE is facing attacks from Iran following US airstrikes that killed Iran's Supreme Leader.
  • Daniil Medvedev withdrew from the Eisenhower Cup due to travel restrictions amid the ongoing conflict.

Players were compelled to leave the court at the Fujairah Challenger in the United Arab Emirates on Monday (March 2) due to the ongoing conflict in the region. The UAE is among the countries currently under attack by Iran following the US-Israeli airstrikes in the Middle East over the weekend.

On Saturday (February 28), United States of America President Donald Trump authorized strikes on Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, which led to his death. The assassination of the leader has thrown the region into turmoil, forcing the Iranian government to retaliate, but in the bid to do that their have been casualties.

The airbase in the UAE’s capital, Abu Dhabi, has been severely hit by retaliatory Iranian strikes and drones, whilst tourist destinations in the country and nearby Dubai were also targeted. The conflict snowballed into Monday, and the Fujairah Open, which began, was scheduled to continue until a huge strike was heard.

In a viral video on X, players, ball girls, and boys, along with the umpire, were seen running towards a small gate immediately after they heard the blast. The match was forced to abruptly end. However, the Fujairah media released a statement later that a drone was intercepted by the country’s air defense, and that the debris landed in a refinery:

Relevant authorities in the Emirate of Fujairah responded to a fire that broke out this morning in the Fujairah Oil Industry Zone (FOIZ), resulting from falling debris following the successful interception of a drone by air defense systems. No injuries were reported, the fire was brought under control, and normal operations in the area have resumed.

Reports suggest that play has also been cancelled for Tuesday (March 3) at the Fujairah Challenger in the UAE. But the tournament has not been cancelled yet, as the organizers believe things will calm a little by Wednesday (March 4). Major reports claim that the UAE is tightening its air defense system, which will help calm situations.

Meanwhile, the country has shut down its airspace and border, following in the footsteps of other neighboring countries, which has led to players being stuck in the region ahead of the Sunshine Doubles, which kicks off on March 4. Daniil Medvedev and Andrey Rublev are the two top players trapped in the region.

Daniil Medvedev withdraws from the Eisenhower Cup after being trapped in Dubai

Daniil Medvedev has withdrawn from the Eisenhower Cup at the Indian Wells Open on Tuesday (March 3). The Russian star was set to partner with fellow compatriot Mirra Andreeva in the mixed-gender exhibition tournament before Dubai decided to ground outbound flights due to the ongoing conflict in the region.

Daniil Medvedev
Daniil Medvedev (Image via X/Daniil Medvedev)

Before the Indian Wells draw on Monday (March 2), it was reported that Medvedev and Andrey Rublev would travel to Oman and then get a private flight that would take them to either Turkey or Armenia, which would then allow them to fly to California before the main draw of the ATP Masters 1000 tournament begins.

Medvedev won the Dubai Tennis Championships on Saturday after Tallon Griekspoor decided to pull out of the event due to injury. Rublev reached the semi-finals but lost to the injured Griekspoor in straight sets. He was also meant to partner with Amanda Anisimova at the Eisenhower Cup.

Alexander Bublik will take the place of Medvedev at the exhibition tournament. He will partner with Andreeva, who is the Indian Wells defending champion. American star Learner Tien will take Rublev’s place at the event. The organizers are hopeful that Medvedev and Rublev will be at the California desert before the tournament fully kicks off. Medvedev already has two titles this season, and he’s in good form.

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