Daniil Medvedev trying to escape Dubai after being gifted title as tennis stars stranded

Daniil Medvedev is attempting to escape Dubai after being handed the Dubai Tennis Championship title when Tallon Griekspoor was forced to withdraw just hours before the final. The Dutch tennis star was due to take to the court at 3pm but had to pull out due to a hamstring injury.

But all flights into and out of Dubai Airports have been suspended amid the fallout from US strikes on Iran, leaving players stranded. The airport confirmed that all flight operations at Dubai International (DXB) and Dubai World Central – Al Maktoum International (DWC) have been halted after the city was rocked by an explosion earlier today.

A representative for Medvedev said they were trying to get the player out of the country, as the BNP Paribas Open is set to begin next week in Indian Wells, California.

Medvedev has not spoken about the uncertain situation, but showed his class towards his fallen opponent by issuing a statement on social media following his tournament victory. He said: "Not how I want to win a final. Hoping the injury for @Griekii is not too bad and wishing him a speedy recovery."

Griekspoor defeated Andrey Rublev 7-5, 7-6 to earn his place in the final against Medvedev, but could not take his place. The contender prevailed despite being visibly injured and struggling to run after the ball because of his hamstring injury.

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Dubai champion Medvedev defeated top seed Felix Auger-Aliassime 6-4, 6-2 in his semi-final clash. Speaking after earning his place in the final, the Russian said: "It has been an amazing four matches, probably playing better and better each match, today being the best performance.

"If I can put an even better performance tomorrow, I will have my chances to win and that is what I am going to try to do."

The status of the final was already forced into uncertainty as the Middle East was plunged into chaos following the United States and Israel's attack on Iran, and the nation's response. The Minister of Defence of the United Arab Emirates said the country is at risk of bombing by Iran, with Abu Dhabi and Dubai said to be possible targets.

Explosions have been reported in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, with missiles also targeting a US naval base in Bahrain, among other targets across the region. Blasts have been heard in Abu Dhabi, capital of the UAE, with a death reported after debris fell on a residential area.

The UAE defence ministry said in a post on X that a civilian had been killed in a "blatant attack involving Iranian ballistic missiles" after missile debris fell in a residential area, killing a person of Asian nationality." They have not identified the victim.

Meanwhile, fellow tour professional Holger Rune is in Doha, Qatar, and has captured video footage of missile strikes being intercepted. The world no.17 clarified that he was safe.

Posting the video from a luxurious swimming pool, Rune said: "Doha today. We are all safe."

US President Donald Trump made the intentions of the military intervention clear. The 79-year-old said: "We are going to destroy their missiles and raze their missile industry to the ground.

"It will be totally, again, obliterated. We're going to annihilate their Navy. We're going to ensure that the region's terrorist proxies can no longer destabilise the region or the world, and attack our forces and no longer use their IEDs or roadside bombs, as they are sometimes called to so gravely wound and kill thousands and thousands of people, including many Americans.

"And we will ensure that Iran does not obtain a nuclear weapon. It is a very simple message. They will never have a nuclear weapon."

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