Tennis players found themselves in the middle of rising regional tensions after an ATP Challenger tournament in Fujairah was cancelled due to security concerns.
Explosions were heard near hotels in Dubai while players prepared for matches in the nearby port city. The United Arab Emirates came under attack after retaliatory strikes linked to the ongoing conflict between Iran and the Israel-backed military operations supported by the United States.
Despite the rising tension, the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) initially decided to continue the tournament. Officials said they consulted local authorities and believed it was safe to proceed.
Players Forced to Run as Drone Attack Hits Nearby Facility
The situation changed quickly on Tuesday. Players suddenly ran off the courts when debris from a drone attack hit a nearby oil terminal in Fujairah.
The port city is an important global oil storage and bunkering hub, which increased concerns about safety in the area.
Australian tennis player James McCabe said players expected to stay in shelters because governments had issued safety warnings.
Instead, players were told it was safe to continue playing.
“We expected to stay in shelter because that’s what the governments were advising,” McCabe said.
Many players already felt uncomfortable about competing in Fujairah. However, the ATP maintained that the event could continue with additional security measures and no spectators.
Eventually, tournament organisers cancelled the event along with another tournament planned at the same venue next week.
Players Struggle to Leave the UAE
The cancellation left many players scrambling to find flights out of the region.
Most competitors managed to leave the UAE quickly. However, two players – Marat Sharipov of Russia and Sergey Fomin of Uzbekistan – remained stranded along with their coaches.
Sharipov could not board the ATP’s chartered flight to Milan because he does not have a European visa.
He had the option to disembark in Egypt. But that would have meant leaving behind his luggage and tennis equipment.
The 23-year-old said he felt abandoned by the governing body.
“The ATP knew I could not travel to Europe, so I think they should have found another solution,” Sharipov said.
Players Angry Over Expensive Escape Plans
Tensions increased when the ATP informed players that a chartered evacuation flight would cost each player $5,000.
The price shocked many players. Prize money for winning the Fujairah tournament would have been only $9,500, while first-round losers would earn just $600.
After players raised the issue publicly, the ATP agreed to cover the chartered flight cost.
However, players who booked their own flights earlier may not receive reimbursement. The ATP has also said players will not receive compensation because the tournament was cancelled before prize money could be awarded.
McCabe managed to secure a flight back to Sydney on Tuesday.
“It was surprising that the ATP didn’t help with flights at first,” the 22-year-old said. “Once we heard it would cost $5,000, everyone panicked.”
The ATP later said player safety remains its top priority and that it continues to stay in contact with those affected.
