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Tennis Faces Global Disruption as Middle East Conflict Strands Players

Posted : 04 March 2026

Tennis has not been spared from the effects of recent geopolitical tensions, with top players stranded in the Middle East and tournaments disrupted by drone strikes, according to athletes at Indian Wells on Tuesday.

Dozens of international players are gathering in the California desert for the prestigious annual men’s and women’s events, which begin Wednesday, but notable absences include Daniil Medvedev and Andrey Rublev, who have struggled to leave Dubai amid widespread flight cancellations caused by Iranian missile and drone activity.

British player Jack Draper, who managed to escape Dubai last week, expressed concern for colleagues still in the region. “I just hope the players and all the staff within the ATP are able to make it here, or the main thing is that they're safe,” he said. Meanwhile, at least two tournaments in the UAE were canceled after drone debris caused fires near oil refineries, forcing organizers to halt play.

American star Ben Shelton described the situation as “brutal,” noting the stress felt by players with friends stuck in the Middle East.

The conflict began after US and Israeli strikes on Tehran killed Iran’s supreme leader and senior officials, prompting retaliatory missile and drone attacks on Israel, US embassies, and neighboring Gulf countries.

A small number of players at the Dubai ATP 500 were unable to depart, though reports suggest Medvedev and Rublev eventually left via Oman.

The ATP emphasized that the health and safety of players, staff, and tournament personnel remains the top priority.

Men’s world No. 2 Jannik Sinner also expressed concern, saying, “There are certain scenarios we cannot control, so I tried of course to be focused, but you also realise that there are much more important things in life than playing tennis.” Despite the upheaval, Indian Wells proceeds as scheduled, highlighting the sport’s resilience amid global uncertainty.

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