Fears develop for tennis stars caught in Dubai as Iranian missile strikes rain down on metropolis amid struggle in Middle East
Men’s tennis stars playing at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships appear to be stranded in the United Arab Emirates after a local hotel was struck by an Iranian suicide drone in retaliation for joint US-Israeli attack.
Four people were reportedly injured when Dubai’s famous Palm Jumeirah Fairmont Hotel was struck by Iranian counter attacks on Saturday. Iran has also targeted US bases and other assets in the UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, Dubai, Jordan and Kuwait.
Dubai’s Al Maktoum International is closed and passengers are currently being discouraged by authorities from traveling to the airport.
The US and Israel hit Iran early Saturday morning and President Donald Trump has since urged Iranian citizens to rise up against the country’s current regime.
Meanwhile in Dubai, Russia’s Daniil Medvedev came away with his 23rd ATP singles title after the injured Tallon Griekspoor withdrew from Saturday’s final. Griekspoor injured a hamstring in Friday’s semifinal win over Andrey Rublev but couldn’t recover for the final.
Despite the chaos in the region, Saturday’s doubles final was played as Finland’s Harri Heliovaara and Great Britain’s Henry Patten beat Croatia’s Mate Pavic and Marcelo Arevalo of El Salvador.
Russia’s Daniil Medvedev came away with his 23rd ATP singles title after the injured Tallon Griekspoor withdrew from Saturday’s final. Griekspoor injured a hamstring in Friday’s semis
Four people were injured when Dubai’s famous Palm Jumeirah Fairmont Hotel was struck
The Daily Mail has sought comment with tournament officials and ATP spokespeople.
Nervous tennis fans have taken to social media to share their fears and frustrations with the current situation in Dubai.
‘It’s honestly surreal and nerve-racking to think a major final in Dubai, like the Dubai Tennis Championships could be in jeopardy because of regional tensions and missile activity,’ one person wrote on X.
‘Reports say Iran has launched missiles that have affected airspace and caused airspace closures and flight suspensions across the UAE, Qatar and other Gulf states as a precaution amid escalation between the United States, Israel and Iran.’
‘Imagine training your whole life for a final and then this happens?’ another asked. ‘I really hope all the players and fans stay safe.’
One person described the decision to play as ‘absolutely reckless.’
