Tennis reporter Reem Abulleil provided updates on the situation in Dubai following the recent escalation between the United States and Iran. She confirmed that players including Andrey Rublev, Daniil Medvedev, Tallon Griekspoor, Harri Heliovaara, Henry Patten, Marcelo Arevalo, and Mate Pavic are still in the city, along with their coaches, officials, journalists, and the tournament stenographer.
Extended hotel arrangements
According to Abulleil, the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships organizers have ensured that accommodations are secure. βDDF were kind enough to extend our hotel stay until March 4 and we are well taken care of,β she said.
Living conditions and safety
Abulleil explained that she left the hotel and is currently staying with a friend in Dubai. She noted that missile and drone interceptions have occurred across the city but emphasized that the tennis community has remained safe. βWeβve been safe so far and are just waiting for the airspace to reopen,β she commented.
Airspace restrictions
Authorities have periodically extended the closure of Dubaiβs airspace. The current notice indicates that flights will remain suspended until at least 3 p.m. tomorrow, with expectations that the restriction may be prolonged further.
The tennis community in Dubai continues to monitor developments closely, balancing safety concerns with the uncertainty surrounding travel and tournament schedules.
Medvedev in Dubai, ranking, and results in 2026
Ranked no.11, Medvedev achieved a composed 13-3 win-loss record in 2026. Daniil is now playing in Dubai where he managed to beat the world no.261 Juncheng Shang 6-1 6-3, the world no.92 Stan Wawrinka 6-2 6-3, the world no.41 Jenson Brooksby 6-2 6-1, the world no.9 Felix Auger-Aliassime 6-4 6-2 and the world no.25 Tallon Griekspoor w/o.
Andrey Rublev in 2026
Ranked world no.17, the Russian played his last match on the 27th of February when he lost to world no.25 Tallon Griekspoor 7-5 7-6(6) in the semifinal in Dubai (draw).
Until now, during this year the Russian has managed to achieve an overall 10-4 win-loss record. Andrey Rublev’s most significant result of this year was reaching the semifinal in Hong Kong, Doha and Dubai.
Daniil Medvedev and Andrey Rublev played each other 10 times. Their current head to head is 8-2 for Medvedev.
