British tennis player Henry Patten experienced a tense and unexpected week in Dubai after regional tensions escalated and missile attacks struck the area.
The 29-year-old doubles champion had just competed in a tournament when the situation worsened. Players, officials, and media found themselves stranded as flights were disrupted.
Patten eventually returned to London after travelling through Cairo and Rome, but the journey was far from easy.
Witnessing the Strike Near the US Consulate
Patten said he heard several explosions during his stay in Dubai. One incident stood out when he saw a drone hit the nearby US consulate.
A fighter jet had already flown over the stadium before the tournament final, signalling that the week would be unusual.
“It was about five minutes away from where we were staying,” Patten said.
He admitted the flight home was stressful, especially since he already feels nervous when flying. The first few hours of the journey felt particularly long.
Attempt to Leave Through Oman
Patten first tried to leave the United Arab Emirates by road. He travelled with his doubles partner Harri Heliovaara and his family to the border with Oman.
However, the driver lacked the correct documents. Border officials delayed them further, forcing the group to return to Dubai after a seven-hour journey.
“It was mentally tough to drive back after committing to the trip,” Patten said.
Life in Dubai During the Crisis
Despite the nearby explosions, daily life in parts of the city appeared normal. Patten saw people swimming and playing golf while the conflict unfolded.
Still, loud blasts during the night reminded him of the danger nearby. One explosion came from a drone strike near the airport only minutes from the hotel.
Help from Tournament Officials
The ATP Tour extended hotel bookings and covered meals while players waited for travel options.
Later, airline staff arrived at the hotel and began arranging flights as routes reopened. Patten eventually secured a seat on a flight leaving at 8am the next morning.
He praised the local tournament officials for managing a difficult situation, although he believed stronger crisis planning could have helped.
Tennis Takes a Back Seat
Patten and Heliovaara had planned to play at Indian Wells Masters in California.
However, after a stressful week with little rest, they chose to withdraw.
Patten said spending time with family became the priority after the ordeal.
