“We are all safe”: Holger Rune posts from Doha after missile blasts overhead
ATPSaturday, 28 February 2026 at 17:36
Holger Rune used social media this afternoon to confirm his safety while training in Doha, posting short videos from the Qatari capital after missile interceptions were reported in the city’s airspace. The Danish player, currently rehabilitating an Achilles tendon injury sustained at the Stockholm Open in October 2025, has been sidelined for the past four months.
Videos circulating online showed air defence systems activated over Doha, with projectiles intercepted in the sky. The activity followed Iranian strikes targeting U.S. military installations in the region, including facilities located in Gulf states. Qatar hosts the Al Udeid Air Base, one of the largest American military installations in the Middle East.
Rune is based in Doha as part of his structured rehabilitation programme. The city, which yearly hosts ATP and WTA competition and offers high-level training facilities, has become a temporary base while he works toward full fitness.
The statement came as authorities in Qatar temporarily managed airspace traffic and heightened security protocols following the regional escalation. While interceptions were visible in the capital, there were no immediate reports of civilian casualties in Doha.
Earlier this month, Doha staged both editions of the Qatar Open. The WTA 1000 event concluded on 14 February with Karolína Muchová defeating Victoria Mboko in the final, while the ATP 500 tournament followed, with Carlos Alcaraz lifting the title after beating Arthur Fils in straight sets. The recent presence of top-level tennis underlines how quickly the security context in the region shifted.
Dubai also impacted during tense week
The security backdrop has not been limited to Doha. During the recent ATP event in Dubai, missile activity was reportedly audible in parts of the city on the weekend of the final. The tournament’s championship match ultimately did not take place after Tallon Griekspoor withdrew due to injury, handing Daniil Medvedev the title by walkover.
While the cancellation was officially attributed to Griekspoor’s physical issue, the broader regional tension formed part of the atmosphere surrounding the event. Temporary airspace closures and flight suspensions were reported across parts of the Gulf, affecting major hubs including Dubai and Doha.
Such restrictions have disrupted commercial traffic and complicated outbound travel, with Dubai International Airport confirmed as temporarily closed. As a result, players competing in the region — including Medvedev and Griekspoor — may face delays or be unable to depart until normal operations resume and airspace restrictions are lifted.
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