PARIS: A “small number” of tennis players remain stuck in Dubai following a men’s tournament last week, owing to the war in the Middle East, the tour’s governing body the ATP said on Monday.

Russian Daniil Medv­edev, who won the singles title on Saturday, is among those who have been unable to leave the city because of the attacks from Iranian missiles and drones.

“The health, safety and well-being of our players, staff and tournament personnel is our priority,” the ATP said in a statement published on X.

“We can confirm that a small number of players and team members remain in Dubai... They are being accommodated in the official tournament hotels. “We are in direct communication with those affected.”

Finnish player Harri Heliovaara, who won the doubles alongside British player Henry Patten, wrote on his blog on Sunday “much of the airspace in the surrounding areas is closed” in response to the strikes.

The Finn estimated that around 30 people in total were being housed in a hotel close to the airport.

“We’re just calmly waiting for things to improve,” he added. “Of course we want to leave as soon as possible, but sometimes the best thing is just to wait. Things will get better from here.”

The players were offered a glimmer of hope when Dubai Airports announced “limited” flights would resume on Monday evening. Emirates and low-cost carrier flydubai both said they would resume some flights on Monday evening. Etihad Airways, which operates flights from Abu Dhabi, said it would resume operations on Tuesday.

Published in Dawn, March 3rd, 2026