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In response to ongoing military tensions, participants at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships have been offered refuge as hostilities from Iran continue to impact the emirate.
The escalation came after Iran launched a barrage of missiles and suicide drones targeting Dubai, following the assassination of its Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in a coordinated attack by the United States and Israel on Tehran.
The retaliation has notably affected the United Arab Emirates, with significant incidents such as the strike on the renowned Fairmont Hotel located on Palm Jumeirah. Consequently, airspace over Dubai has been temporarily closed, adding to the region’s challenges.
With the situation growing more precarious, there are increasing concerns regarding the safety of the tennis players, who currently find themselves unable to leave the country.
To address these concerns, tournament organizers have assured the Daily Mail that additional accommodation has been arranged to ensure the well-being of both players and staff amidst the ongoing conflict.
Players at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships have been provided additional shelter
Smoke rises from Dubai International Airport this morning as Emirates planes remain grounded
‘Following the conclusion of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships on Saturday 28 February, tournament organisers have extended the hosted accommodation protocols for all ATP officials, players, and support staff by an additional three days,’ a spokesperson for the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships told the Daily Mail.
Russia’s Medvedev came away with his 23rd ATP singles title after the injured Tallon Griekspoor withdrew from Saturday’s final. Griekspoor injured a hamstring in Friday’s semifinal win over Andrey Rublev but couldn’t recover for the final.
Despite the chaos in the region, Saturday’s doubles final was played as Finland’s Harri Heliovaara and Great Britain’s Henry Patten beat Croatia’s Mate Pavic and Marcelo Arevalo of El Salvador.
Nervous tennis fans took to social media on Saturday evening to share their fears and frustrations with the current situation in Dubai.
‘It’s honestly surreal and nerve-racking to think a major final in Dubai, like the Dubai Tennis Championships could be in jeopardy because of regional tensions and missile activity,’ one person wrote on X.
‘Reports say Iran has launched missiles that have affected airspace and caused airspace closures and flight suspensions across the UAE, Qatar and other Gulf states as a precaution amid escalation between the United States, Israel and Iran.’
‘Imagine training your whole life for a final and then this happens?’ another asked. ‘I really hope all the players and fans stay safe.’
One person described the decision to play as ‘absolutely reckless.’
Saturday’s doubles final was played as Finland’s Harri Heliovaara and Great Britain’s Henry Patten won despite the chaosÂ
Dubai’s iconic sail-shaped Burj Al Arab was ablaze following Iranian attacks
The Palm Jumeirah hotel in Dubai was engulfed in flames yesterday after being hit, with four people injured
On Saturday in Dubai, Iranian suicide drones hit the landmark hotel the Palm Jumeirah, injuring four people, as well as the iconic sail-shaped Burj Al Arab hotel, sparking panic among tourists.
Dramatic footage showed a fireball in the sky near the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building, as a weapon was intercepted.
The Dubai Media Office confirmed that debris from drones intercepted by air defences had fallen onto two homes in the city, injuring two people, and also caused a fire at the major Jebel Ali port.
Further videos overnight showed panic in a smoke-filled, debris-strewn terminal at Dubai Airport, which has been evacuated after four members of staff were injured.
Tehran expanded its bombardment and vowed to unleash its ‘most intense offensive operation in history’, amid fierce warnings to back down from Israel and the US, and missiles striking the ‘heart’ of its capital on Sunday.
Multiple rounds of further blasts echoed around Dubai this morning, with the most recent reported just before 12pm GMT/7am ET.
In the last few hours, residents of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia’s capital, also reported hearing several loud bangs.
Explosions have been heard for a second day in Qatar, Israel, Bahrain, Kuwait and Iraq, and in Oman for the first time, though most missiles and drones have been downed by air defences.