A tennis tournament Cruz Hewitt was playing in has been cancelled after players ran for their lives following a security alert amid the ongoing Middle East war.
Hewitt, the son of tennis great Lleyton, was among three Aussie players scheduled to play in an ATP Challenger event in Fujairah, in the United Arab Emirates, before play was halted abruptly after debris from an intercepted drone ignited near the venue.
Two matches at the Fujairah Open were suspended after a fire broke out at an oil terminal about 10km away due to an Iranian drone attack.
Footage online showed Japan’s Hayato Matsuoka and Belarusian Daniil Ostapenkov rush off the court midway through their qualifying match.
The incident came amid escalating regional tensions following strikes on Iran by the United States and Israel on Saturday.
Aussie player James McCabe posted a video to his Instagram story on Sunday night, where an explosion can be heard in the background.
Cruz Hewitt’s match in the UAE has been cancelled due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East (Cruz is pictured with his dad Lleyton and mother Bec)
Hewitt (pictured) has a singles ranking of 664 and a doubles ranking of 743
He said to the person recording him: ‘Did you get that on video?’
The person replied: ‘I got the bang’.
The ATP later cancelled the tournament.
‘Following ongoing security concerns in the region, the ATP Challenger Tour events scheduled in Fujairah this week and next week have been cancelled,’ the ATP said in a statement.
‘The safety and wellbeing of our players and tournament personnel is our highest priority.
‘Players remain on site and are being fully supported, with accommodation and all immediate needs covered while onward travel arrangements are explored.’
Hewitt, who has a singles ranking of 664, was set to team up with Jason Kubler for a doubles match against two Japanese players before the event was cancelled.
A Tennis Australia spokesperson said on Monday that all Aussie players were safe and were moved 100km away from Dubai.
James McCabe posted a story to his Instagram showing the smoke from fire caused by falling debris following the interception of a drone
McCabe was all smiles once he got to Dubai following the cancelled Challenger event in Fujairah, UAE
‘Tennis Australia is in close communication with the Australian players and their support teams currently in the United Arab Emirates,’ a statement said.
‘We have provided guidance based on information from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and the ATP, which is working with local authorities on the ground.’
The war has led to airspace closures and flight cancellations across parts of the Persian Gulf, which have disrupted international sport.
Hewitt is among more than 50 professional tennis players stranded in the United Arab Emirates.
Daily Mail contacted Tennis Australia on Wednesday morning for further updates.