January 23, 2026; Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Daniil Medvedev plays against Hungary’s Fabian Marosan during the Australian Open men’s singles third round match at Margaret Court Arena in Melbourne Park. Mandatory Credit: Mike Frey-Imagn Image Former world number one Daniil Medvedev, his family and team were stranded in Dubai on Sunday, a day after he won the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships for his 23rd career ATP title.
Talon Grispur and Andrey Rublev, who withdrew from the title match due to injury, were also in Dubai after airspace was closed due to tensions in the Middle East following the US airstrikes on Iran on Saturday.
Medvedev, the 2021 US Open champion, told Bolshe Tennis that he does not know when he will be able to leave the United Arab Emirates. He and other players are scheduled to play in the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, California. The main draw for the tournament begins on Wednesday.
“The situation is unusual, but basically the only thing is that the airspace is naturally closed,” Medvedev told Bolshe Tennis in Russian, according to Tennisuptodate.com. “So no one knows when we will be able to fly. We are not sure if this will last long.
“We are waiting to see what will happen in the next hours or days. They are gradually delaying the airport reopening time.”
Medvedev said he was coping well with the situation and was able to remain calm.
“It may sound strange, but I am very emotional on the court. But in real life, sometimes being more emotional can actually help. So for me, everything is normal,” Medvedev said. “Obviously I’ve had a lot of messages from friends and family and everyone is worried, but I can tell you everything is fine from my perspective.”
Medvedev is scheduled to participate in the Eisenhower Cup mixed doubles exhibition in Indian Wells on Tuesday. His doubles partner is young Russian WTA star Mirra Andreeva.
Rublev, 28, is also scheduled to participate in the Eisenhower Cup. Russia’s doubles partner is American star Amanda Anisimova.
Medvedev (30) also won the 2023 Dubai title. He ranked 11th in the world participating in this competition.
The Dutchman (ranked 25th) from Griekspoor suffered a left hamstring injury during his semifinal victory over 18th-ranked Rublev.
Doubles players Hari Heliovara (Finland), Mate Pavik (Croatia), Henry Patton (Great Britain), and Marcelo Arevalo (El Salvador) were also reported to be stranded. Heliovaara and Patten beat Pavic and Arevalo in the Dubai doubles final.
Additionally, various coaches, officials, and tennis reporters remain in Dubai.
–Field level media
