(VIDEO) Challenger tournament in UAE suspended as fire breaks out after drone intercepted near court
ATPTuesday, 03 March 2026 at 12:00
Players were forced to evacuate the court at the Fujairah Challenger as tennis in the Middle East continues to struggle amid the ongoing conflict with the challenger perhaps puzzlingly so still being played this week.
The UAE is among the countries currently being attacked by Iran following the US-Israeli airstrikes on the Middle East over the weekend. The strikes sanctioned by President Donald Trump led to the death of the supreme leader in Iran as the region was locked into warfare.
Abu Dhabi in particular has been hit hard in this and the attacks continued into the new week with an ATP Challenger Tour match between Daniil Ostapenkov and Matsuoka Hayato disrupted. In a scene like from a movie, they were seen running off court in a state of panic after an alarm was set off at the Fujairah Tennis Country Club.
A drone was intercepted supposedly in the nearby Port of Fujairah with debris having started a fire at the oil industry zone.
Their media office said as per Express: "Relevant authorities in the Emirate of Fujairah responded to a fire that broke out this morning in the Fujairah Oil Industry Zone (FOIZ), resulting from falling debris following the successful interception of a drone by air defense systems.
“No injuries were reported, the fire was brought under control, and normal operations in the area have resumed.”It co
It comes after top ATP names including Daniil Medvedev and Andrey Rublev were left stranded by the ongoing conflict with the duo having to force a mad dash to Oman to try and get a flight over to America via Turkey or Armenia. Neither have left the country yet and have withdrawn from tonight's Tie Break Tens.
claps 0visitors 0
Just In
Popular News
Latest Comments
- All those whom believed they could accept the Sportswasher's money and free housing and still maintain their Freedoms -- how's that going over there at the moment? Not too good??
- Issues much? Why is this story not going away??
- Could they hear the bombing in the background? I imagine the tennis players/teams "living" in Dubai and Doha might be selling their apartments for an excellent price in the very near future... such as it is!!
- Who gives a rat's ass??
- This person has arguably always been a 'problem personality'. Rarely, if ever, has he been The Solution to any matter in sports. More often combative and accusatory via media blurbs and texts. As for his "great success" as a coach -- the planets were aligned in his favor the day The Williams Family signed on to him. The William sisters were going to succeed regardless of his, or anyone else's, input. If you want to know how other players' have been affected by his "coaching" simply study the graphics on a chart. Average results, with a degree of combativeness and animosity in every camp. His "success" is entirely attributed to the natural Williams talent(s). Not unlike Raducanu's claim to fame of winning one title.
- Quinwen learned it's better to have friends in tennis. Happy to see she has changed her attitude on the circuit.
- Remind her the racquet is in HER hand, not any coach.
- My advice to Coco is take a few months off from the tour and focus on the serve. If MacMillan is not producing the expected results, relieve him of his duties and hire someone else. To hell with the rankings and what people will say. Just take a break. Mental health is far more important than money.
- Eventually (as other sports have done) WTA will be forced to make DNA / Gender Testing mandatory in order to protect and promote fairness in competitions. End of so-called 'controversy'.
- It's sad... but Rybakina is not going to be able to endure her groomer's interference in Life and still excel to her best level. BTW: No media has reported her last sentence to the physio. They kept asking questions and she abruptly told them: "I know what it is; I'm ready to go now".
Loading
