03/02/26 10:13:00
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03/02 10:11 CST Tennis stars in Dubai and Paralympians face travel issues as
Middle East war continues
Tennis stars in Dubai and Paralympians face travel issues as Middle East war
continues
By JAMES ELLINGWORTH
AP Sports Writer
Former U.S. Open tennis champion Daniil Medvedev has indicated he's one of what
the ATP Tour calls "a small number of players and team members" it is trying to
help leave Dubai as the war in the Middle East causes a widespread travel
shutdown that has also caused issues for athletes heading to the Paralympics.
Medvedev's Instagram account reposted on Monday a report from a
Russian-language tennis outlet, Bolshe, which said he was safe and staying at a
friend's apartment in Dubai, amid flight cancellations after winning the ATP
event there last week.
"The health, safety and wellbeing of our players, staff and tournament
personnel is our priority. We can confirm that a small number of players and
team members remain in Dubai following the conclusion of the recent ATP 500
event," the ATP Tour said in a statement Monday.
"They and their teams are being accommodated in the tournament's official
hotels, where their immediate needs are being fully supported."
Medvedev and others are due to play at the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells,
California, where main-draw matches start Wednesday.
"We are in direct communication with those affected, as well as with tournament
organizers and security advisors," the ATP said. "At this stage, travel
assessments remain subject to ongoing assessment in line with airline
operations and official guidance. We will continue to provide appropriate
support to ensure players and their teams can depart safely when conditions
allow."
The Winter Paralympics open in Italy on Friday and some athletes are facing
travel difficulties, the International Paralympic Committee said.
"We are in close contact with all delegations competing at the Games as well as
other stakeholders. Many of the teams are already in Europe attending training
or holding camps, but the closure of airspace in the Middle East is impacting
the arrival of some stakeholders," the IPC said in a statement.
The IPC confirmed to The Associated Press that the affected stakeholders
include athletes.
"We would prefer not to comment on the status of individual delegations or
stakeholders at this stage but can provide assurance that we are working
diligently with Milano Cortina 2026 to find solutions for those affected," the
IPC added.
Iran has one cross-country skier expected to compete at the March 6-15
Paralympics.
Cricketers from England and Pakistan's men's developmental teams were in the
United Arab Emirates at the weekend ahead of Sunday's game that was cancelled.
Youth basketball players also faced travel issues when a EuroLeague tournament
there was canceled at the weekend.
Numerous sports events in the region have shut down, with Asian Champions
League soccer games and the Qatari league on hold. The governing body which
oversees Formula 1 said Monday it will focus on "safety and wellbeing" as it
considers upcoming races in the region.
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AP tennis: https://apnews.com/hub/tennis
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