More than 40 ATP players, officials, and staff, including Daniil Medvedev and Andrey Rublev, remain stuck in Dubai after airspace closures from US-Israeli strikes on Iran and retaliation. Rejecting lengthy road options proposed by the ATP, they are arranging short drives to Oman for private jets, with Indian Wells participation uncertain as the tournament starts March 4.
Following the Dubai Tennis Championships conclusion on March 1 and subsequent regional escalation—with US and Israeli strikes on Iranian sites prompting retaliatory attacks and full flight suspensions at Dubai airports—over 40 individuals (players, supervisors, referees, security, and journalists) are housed in tournament hotels. One hotel has been adapted into a bunker with extra lower-ground-floor beds.
An ATP emergency meeting on Sunday proposed road alternatives: a six-hour drive to Oman or 10 hours to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Players declined due to journey risks and border delays, preferring to wait. Medvedev, the Dubai singles champion via walkover, stated the situation is 'unusual' with closed airspace and uncertain timelines.
Latest plans from MARCA: Medvedev, Rublev, and others intend a 90-minute drive to Oman, then private jets to Turkey or Armenia, onward to California. The ATP emphasized: "The health, safety, and well-being of our players, our staff, and the tournament teams are our top priority... We will continue to provide appropriate support."
Indian Wells draws are March 2, main event March 4. Seeds like Medvedev (11th), Rublev (17th), and Karen Khachanov (16th) risk missing out, potentially elevating others. Affected players also include Harri Heliovaara, Henry Patten, and Marcelo Arevalo. Meanwhile, the ATP Challenger 50 in nearby Fujairah proceeds March 2-15 with seeds Lloyd Harris and Jason Kubler.