“No one knows when we will be able to take off”: Daniil Medvedev stranded in Dubai after Middle East conflict shuts airspace

Daniil Medvedev made headlines from Dubai after being stranded in the city of the United Arab Emirates amid the Middle East conflict. The Russian lifted the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships trophy on Saturday — and he was expected to travel quickly to California to compete in Indian Wells — but the outbreak of the military conflict in Iran led to the closure of airports.

Military tension has risen rapidly across the region, and there were even reports of attacks in Dubai, which led to local airspace being temporarily closed — both arrivals and departures. Medvedev was unable to travel to the USA, so he remains in Dubai — despite having expected to already be en route to the United States by now.

The situation generated concern among those close to him and his fans, but the former world No. 1 has already sent a message confirming that he is fine. According to what he said in an interview shared with the Russian outlet Bolshe, life in the city of Dubai is continuing normally, although there remains uncertainty over when he will be able to travel.

“Here of course, the situation is unusual, but the only thing that happens is that the airspace is closed, of course, that is, no one knows when we will be able to take off,” mentioned the former US Open champion. “That is, it is not clear whether it will last long or not. Therefore, we are just waiting, let’s say, what will happen in the next hours, days..”

“That is, they are gradually postponing the closure of the airport. As strange as it may sound, I’m very emotional on the court, in life probably it would help me be more emotional at some moments, so… for me everything is kind of normal and, let’s say, natural, I received a lot of messages from friends, acquaintances and everyone is worried, but in principle, I can say on my own behalf that everything is fine.”

Medvedev’s particular situation puts his participation at Indian Wells at risk, a tournament that begins its main draw on Wednesday, and for which the Russian, by regulation, must already be in the city — even if his debut is scheduled for later days. In fact, Medvedev has his first-round bye secured as the 12th seed of the tournament.

Daniil Medvedev claimed the title at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships on Saturday after Tallon Griekspoor withdrew ahead of their final due to a left hamstring injury. The Russian was coming off a commanding semi-final victory over Felix Auger-Aliassime (6-4, 6-2).

Griekspoor sustained the injury during his semi-final victory over Andrey Rublev on Friday. The Dutchman landed awkwardly after a serve and, although he went on to complete a straight-sets win, he was unable to recover in time for the championship match, resulting in a walkover.

The title is Medvedev’s 23rd tour-level crown and second of the 2026 season after winning in Brisbane in January. It is also the first time the 30-year-old has won the same event twice, having previously triumphed in Dubai in 2023.

The circumstances of the final meant Medvedev did not have to take the court on Saturday, lifting the trophy without contest and immediately shifting his focus toward the Sunshine Double. Instead, the unexpected escalation of regional conflict has left the former US Open champion in a holding pattern, waiting for clearance to depart as Indian Wells approaches.

Medvedev currently sits at No. 11 in the live ranking and No. 3 in the Race. His participation in Indian Wells could be key to his ambitions of returning to world No. 1, considering the significant number of points he is defending — 400 points — after reaching the semi-finals in 2025. If he fails to enter the tournament, he will see his chances of returning to the top 10 slip away precisely at the moment when he is closest to rejoining the elite group after nine months.