ATP Challenger tennis event in UAE canceled amid Iran conflict

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ATP Challenger tennis tournament in UAE canceled amid Iran conflict

March 3, 2026

DUBAI,— The ATP Challenger tennis tournament in the United Arab Emirates was cancelled on Tuesday after a security alert forced players and tournament staff to move to designated safe zones.

The suspension comes amid heightened tensions in the Middle East following recent military action.

The United States and Israel carried out air strikes on Iran over the weekend, killing Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, prompting retaliatory missile attacks across several countries in the Arabian Peninsula.

Iran carried out retaliatory missile strikes on airports, ports, hotels, and residential areas in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

The ATP confirmed the cancellations in a statement, noting that the events scheduled this week and next week in Fujairah, known as Fujairah 2, would no longer take place.

The organization emphasized that the safety and well-being of players and staff was its top priority.

“Players remain on site and are being fully supported, with accommodation and all immediate needs covered while onward travel arrangements are explored,” the statement added.

Play had already been suspended at the Fujairah Challenger, a stepping stone for players seeking to reach the elite ATP Tour, in line with standard security protocols.

Video shared online showed Japan’s Hayato Matsuoka and Belarusian Daniil Ostapenkov leaving the court in the middle of a match. The chair umpire later made an announcement and evacuated as well.

Earlier Tuesday, Fujairah authorities reported extinguishing a fire caused by debris after a drone was intercepted in the oil industry zone.

The incident highlighted the wider impact of the ongoing conflict, which has led to airspace closures and flight cancellations across parts of the Gulf.

These disruptions are affecting international sports travel, including for tennis players trying to reach tournaments abroad.

Russian players Daniil Medvedev, who claimed the Dubai Championships title by walkover on Saturday, and Andrey Rublev are among those facing difficulties reaching the next major stop on the ATP Tour at Indian Wells, California.

The cancellations in Fujairah add to growing concerns about the safety and logistics of international sporting events in the region, as organizers and players navigate an unpredictable security situation.

(With files from Reuters)