TENNIS – AN ATP Challenger tennis tournament in the UAE was cancelled yesterday amid the conflict in the Middle East, when players and tournament personnel fled from the courts to designated safe areas following a security alert.
“Following ongoing security concerns in the region, the ATP Challenger Tour events scheduled in Fujairah this week and next week (Fujairah 2) have been cancelled,” the ATP said in a statement.
“The safety and well-being 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,” it added.
Play in the Fujairah Challenger event – one of many serving as stepping stones to the elite ATP Tour – was suspended in line with established security protocols, before being cancelled.
Footage online showed Japan’s Hayato Matsuoka and Belarusian Daniil Ostapenkov leave the court midway through their encounter before the chair umpire made an announcement and followed suit.
The conflict has led to airspace closures and flight cancellations across parts of the Gulf, disrupting a key transit hub for international sport and complicating travel for players.
Daniil Medvedev, who won the Dubai Championships title via walkover on Saturday, and his fellow Russian Andrey Rublev are among several players facing challenges to reach the next stop on the main tour at Indian Wells, California.
Former world number one Medvedev had been scheduled to play in the Eisenhower Cup, a one-night Tie Break Tens doubles event alongside fellow Russian Mirra Andreeva.
American Amanda Anisimova had been paired with Rublev for the popular event on the eve of the main draw of the Indian Wells tournament in the Southern California desert.
Seeded 11th, Medvedev’s first singles match is scheduled for Friday. Rublev, the 17th seed, is also scheduled to play on Friday.
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