Daniil Medvedev shared a concerning update following his title triumph at the 2026 ATP Dubai Tennis Championships. His opponent in the final, Tallon Griekspoor, withdrew before the match due to a hamstring injury, handing the Russian a walkover victory. The celebration was overshadowed by escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, as the USA and Israel launched a full-scale military attack on Iran.
Airspace closure leaves Medvedev stranded
Dubai’s airspace was completely closed after Iran launched retaliatory strikes, some targeting the city itself. This left Medvedev, his wife Daria, their children Alisa and Victoria, and his team unable to leave the UAE. Speaking from his hotel room in Dubai, Medvedev explained the uncertainty of the situation. “The situation is unusual, but basically, the only thing is that the airspace is closed, naturally. So, no one knows when we’ll be able to fly out; it’s unclear if this is for the long haul or not. We’re just waiting to see what happens in the coming hours or days. They keep gradually pushing back the airport reopening time,” he said.
Calm response despite crisis
Surprisingly composed given the circumstances, Medvedev reflected on how his emotions differ between tennis and real-life situations. “As strange as that sounds, on the court, I’m very emotional, but in real life, it might actually help me to be more emotional at times – so, for me, everything is fine. Naturally, I’ve received a lot of messages from friends and family, and everyone is worried, but I can say for my part that everything is okay,” he added.
Indian Wells participation in doubt
Medvedev was scheduled to travel to California for the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells after Dubai. However, with tensions escalating further following the confirmation of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei’s death, his participation appears unlikely. He was also announced as one of the star names for The Eisenhower Cup, a mixed doubles exhibition event set for March 3, where he was due to partner compatriot Mirra Andreeva.
Other players affected
Griekspoor, who withdrew from the Dubai final, is also stuck in the UAE. Reports suggest that semifinalists Andrey Rublev and Felix Auger-Aliassime may be unable to leave as well, highlighting the widespread impact of the crisis on the tennis community.
Medvedev in Dubai, ranking, and results in 2026
Currently ranked no.11, Daniil has achieved a 13-3 record in 2026. The Russian is now competing in Dubai where he bested the world no.262 Juncheng Shang 6-1 6-3, the world no.99 Stan Wawrinka 6-2 6-3, the world no.49 Jenson Brooksby 6-2 6-1, the world no.8 Felix Auger-Aliassime 6-4 6-2 and the world no.25 Tallon Griekspoor w/o.
