Six hours to Oman, ten to Riyadh: ATP Players weigh risky escape routes from Dubai

The ATP has informed players and accredited personnel stranded in Dubai of their possible exit routes from the emirate, following escalating regional tensions that have disrupted air travel. According to information provided to players - shared via Marca - two overland options were outlined: a six-hour car journey to Oman or a ten-hour drive to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Both routes carry logistical and security concerns, particularly given extended border waits.

Riyadh’s airport is currently operating with relative normality, offering a potential gateway out of the region. Oman, by contrast, has closed its airport, further complicating that option. Despite the alternatives presented, players have collectively decided not to leave Dubai for now, prioritising safety over uncertain travel prospects.

And the military escalation in the Middle East has also affected some tennis stars, as the current belligerent situation unfolded less than a day after the conclusion of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships, where Daniil Medvedev was crowned singles champion while Harri Heliövaara and Henry Patten won the doubles title.

The champions of the latest edition, as well as another handful of names who took part in the tournament, still remain in Dubai following the attacks that Iran has carried out in the city.

The ATP’s head of security has recommended that all affected individuals remain in their hotel, which has effectively been converted into a secure zone. Beds have reportedly been set up on a lower level of the building in case the intensity of attacks escalates. Iran has raised a red flag, signalling the possibility of missile launches at any time, heightening anxiety among those confined.

In total, 41 accredited individuals linked to the tour — including players, supervisors, umpires, security staff and journalists — remain in Dubai. All players have confirmed flight reservations scheduled to depart on Tuesday, 3 March. However, with Monday flights already facing cancellations, participation in Indian Wells is increasingly uncertain.

Local authorities remain hopeful that airspace could reopen by Monday afternoon, allowing a staggered departure of tourists and international visitors. At present, that scenario depends on whether drone and missile activity in the United Arab Emirates ceases. Several morning flights scheduled for Monday have already been cancelled, reinforcing doubts about immediate departures.

For players preparing for the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, the disruption could not come at a more delicate stage of the calendar. The Masters 1000 event marks the start of the prestigious “Sunshine Double,” traditionally attracting the world’s top-ranked athletes. With qualifying rounds imminent and main-draw matches scheduled within days, travel delays significantly reduce preparation time.

Among those stranded are high-profile names such as Daniil Medvedev, Tallon Griekspoor, Andrey Rublev, Marcelo Arévalo, Mate Pavić, Harri Heliövaara and Henry Patten. All remain confined to their respective hotels, unable to leave the emirate under current conditions. The uncertainty casts doubt over whether they will arrive in California in time to compete.

The ATP’s security advisory has been unequivocal: remain inside. The hotel environment has been described internally as a controlled space designed to minimise exposure should the regional situation deteriorate further. The installation of additional beds on the basement level reflects contingency planning for a potential intensification of hostilities.

Players have weighed the “pros and cons” of departing by road but have ultimately opted against the journey. A six-hour drive to Oman, whose airport remains closed, offers no immediate onward solution. A ten-hour trip to Riyadh presents fewer aviation restrictions but carries the inherent risks of long-distance travel during heightened geopolitical tension, compounded by extensive border queues.

With confirmed bookings for Tuesday departures, many are choosing to wait rather than undertake uncertain overland transfers. Nevertheless, each cancelled flight narrows the window to reach Indian Wells in competitive condition. As of now, their presence in the California draw is far from guaranteed, illustrating how external events can abruptly reshape the professional tennis calendar.