Several ATP Tour players found themselves stuck in Dubai after the recent ATP 500 tournament, as widespread airspace closures tied to escalating Middle East tensions have disrupted travel across the region. Former World No. 1 Daniil Medvedev — fresh off his second Dubai title — along with Andrey Rublev, Tallon Griekspoor and a handful of doubles specialists remain in the United Arab Emirates well past the tournament’s end as departures are repeatedly delayed.
The disruptions stem from a sharp uptick in military actions after U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran prompted retaliatory missile and drone launches across the Gulf, including near the UAE. As a result, Dubai’s civilian airspace was closed to all commercial flights, leaving not only athletes but coaches, officials and journalists unable to fly out.
Medvedev told Russian media there’s no clear timetable for resuming travel, explaining that “the only thing is that the airspace is closed” and that players are essentially waiting for authorities to lift restrictions. The ATP issued a statement saying it is closely monitoring the situation, maintaining contact with affected players and ensuring those still in Dubai are being accommodated in official hotels while support remains in place.
The uncertainty has complicated plans for the upcoming BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, where some of the stranded competitors were slated to appear. With flights suspended and limited repatriation services operating, tennis stars and their entourages are in an unexpected holding pattern amid broader regional instability.