Updates on stranded ATP players from Dubai: Daniil Medvedev has departed for Indian Wells, while others remain as airspace partially reopens following the Israel-Iran conflict. The ATP continues prioritizing safety ahead of the BNP Paribas Open.
Following the initial stranding of players after the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships concluded on March 1, 2026—with Daniil Medvedev winning via walkover—escalating Middle East conflict kept 41 participants, including Andrey Rublev, Tallon Griekspoor, doubles champions Harri Heliovaara and Henry Patten, and runners-up Marcelo Arevalo and Mate Pavic, in the UAE as of March 3. Coaches, staff, journalists, and officials were also affected.
Medvedev told Bolshe!, 'No one knows when we will be able to take off... we are just waiting.' In Doha, Holger Rune and his mother Aneke, recovering from his Achilles injury, faced similar disruptions; Aneke described to TV2 Sport the 'fireballs in the sky and repeated bangs,' criticizing Danish government communication.
The ATP stated on March 3: 'The health, safety and wellbeing of our players, staff and tournament personnel is our priority.' Players stayed in official hotels, with the tour coordinating with authorities. Alternative land routes to Oman or Saudi Arabia were ruled unsafe after briefings; Heliovaara blogged, 'The safest thing is to stay at the hotel and wait.'
Dubai International Airport resumed limited flights on March 3 despite strike damage. Medvedev has since left for Indian Wells. The ATP Challenger in Fujairah was cancelled due to a nearby alert. Now in its third day, the conflict has caused over 500 casualties, disrupting regional travel.
