Security alert suspends play at ATP Challenger event in UAE

Play was suspended at the Fujairah Challenger event in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Tuesday afternoon because of a security alert.

Three matches were taking place in the ATP-sanctioned event, which sits the tier below the main Tour, when play was stopped at around 1pm local time.

Footage of the match between Hayato Matsuoka and Daniil Ostapenkov showed the players, umpire, and ball kids rushing to leave the court after they were told to “get inside the building please.”

An ATP statement to The Athletic via email read: “Play at the ATP Challenger Tour event in Fujairah was suspended today (Tuesday) following a security alert. In line with established security protocols, play was immediately halted and players, officials and staff were directed to designated safe areas.

“The health, safety and wellbeing of our players, staff and tournament personnel is our priority. Following consultation with local authorities and security advisors, play has been cancelled for the remainder of the day as a precautionary measure.

“We continue to monitor the situation closely and will provide further updates as appropriate.”

The tournament and ATP did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the rationale for the tournament, which began on Monday, going ahead.

Projectiles have been seen over the UAE since Saturday after Iran fired retaliatory missiles at U.S. bases there, as well as in Qatar, Kuwait, and Bahrain, following American and Israeli strikes on Tehran that morning.

In spite of this, the doubles final of the Dubai Tennis Championships still went ahead on Saturday — in line with guidance from local authorities, according to an ATP spokesperson via email on Monday. The singles final didn’t take place, but only because Tallon Griekspoor had to withdraw because of a hamstring injury. There was still a trophy ceremony, with Medvedev and Griekspoor in attendance. The pair, as well as the four players involved in the doubles final and Andrey Rublev who lost in the semis a day earlier, have been trying to leave the country since. Spanish publication Marca reported on Monday that Rublev and Medvedev were going to make the six-hour drive to Oman to try and leave from there. There has not been official confirmation of this yet, though one source briefed on the situation said on Monday that some of the ATP players stuck in Dubai were planning on attempting this journey.

Around 40 tennis staff in total, including media, ATP employees and people working at the Dubai tournament, have been trying to leave the city since the event finished on Saturday. The players who have spoken publicly have been sanguine about the situation, and have had their hotel stays extended by the tournament. Medvedev reposted on Instagram a report from Russian-language tennis outlet Bolshe on Monday saying he was safe and staying at a friend’s apartment in Dubai.

The BNP Paribas Open, a 1000 event — the rung below the Grand Slams — gets under way on Wednesday, though as seeded players Medvedev and Rublev can’t play until Friday at the earliest. Griekspoor has already pulled out injured.

The Dubai Tennis Championships did not make any comment on the situation in the city, but the ATP put out a statement on Monday saying that: “The ATP is closely monitoring the evolving situation in the Middle East and remains in regular contact with our players, their support teams and relevant local authorities.

“The health, safety and wellbeing of our players, staff and tournament personnel is our priority. We can confirm that a small number of players and team members remain in Dubai following the conclusion of the recent ATP 500 event. They and their teams are being accommodated in the tournament’s official hotels, where their immediate needs are being fully supported.

“We are in direct communication with those affected, as well as with tournament organisers and security advisors. At this stage, travel arrangements remain subject to ongoing assessment in line with airline operations and official guidance. We will continue to provide appropriate support to ensure players and their teams can depart safely when conditions allow.

“We will continue to assess developments and provide updates as appropriate.”

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