Tennis Players Provided Shelter in Dubai Amid Iranian Missile Onslaught
Players and officials at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships have been provided with additional shelter and extended accommodation as Iran continues its missile and drone strikes on the emirate, leading to the closure of Dubai's airspace and preventing their departure from the country.
Iran's Retaliation Strikes Key Dubai Landmarks
Iran launched a revenge strike involving hundreds of missiles and suicide drones targeting Dubai, following the assassination of its Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei during a joint US-Israel attack on Tehran. The retaliation has seen the famous Palm Jumeirah Fairmont Hotel struck, with four people injured, and the iconic sail-shaped Burj Al Arab hotel set ablaze, causing panic among tourists.
Dramatic footage captured a fireball in the sky near the Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building, as a weapon was intercepted. The Dubai Media Office confirmed that debris from intercepted drones fell onto two homes, injuring two people, and sparked a fire at the major Jebel Ali port.
Tournament Organisers Extend Accommodation for Safety
With airspace over Dubai closed and flights suspended across the UAE, Qatar, and other Gulf states as a precaution, tournament organisers have taken action to ensure the safety of participants. A spokesperson for the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships confirmed to the Daily Mail that hosted accommodation protocols have been extended by an additional three days for all ATP officials, players, and support staff following the event's conclusion on Saturday, February 28.
"Following the conclusion of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships on Saturday 28 February, tournament organisers have extended the hosted accommodation protocols for all ATP officials, players, and support staff by an additional three days," the spokesperson stated.
Chaos and Concerns Amid Ongoing Regional Escalation
The strikes have caused significant disruption, with further videos showing panic in a smoke-filled, debris-strewn terminal at Dubai International Airport, which was evacuated after four staff members were injured. Multiple rounds of blasts echoed around Dubai, with the most recent reported just before 12pm GMT, and explosions have also been heard in Riyadh, Qatar, Israel, Bahrain, Kuwait, Iraq, and Oman, though most missiles and drones have been downed by air defences.
Tehran has expanded its bombardment and vowed to unleash its "most intense offensive operation in history," amid fierce warnings from Israel and the US, with missiles striking the "heart" of its capital on Sunday.
Tournament Proceeds Despite Tensions
Despite the chaos, the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships concluded over the weekend. Russia's Daniil Medvedev, a former world No. 1, claimed his 23rd ATP singles title after Tallon Griekspoor withdrew from the final due to a hamstring injury sustained in the semifinals. The doubles final was played as scheduled, with Finland's Harri Heliovaara and Great Britain's Henry Patten defeating Croatia's Mate Pavic and Marcelo Arevalo of El Salvador.
Fan Reactions and Safety Fears
Nervous tennis fans took to social media to express their fears and frustrations. One person wrote on X, "It's honestly surreal and nerve-racking to think a major final in Dubai, like the Dubai Tennis Championships, could be in jeopardy because of regional tensions and missile activity." Another asked, "Imagine training your whole life for a final and then this happens? I really hope all the players and fans stay safe." Some criticised the decision to play as "absolutely reckless."
As the situation escalates, concerns remain high for the safety of players, staff, and residents, with ongoing strikes and airspace closures complicating efforts to secure the region.
