Live Explosions Force Players, Officials To Run Off Court At Fujairah Challenger In UAE | WATCH

Last Updated:March 03, 2026, 17:48 IST

Explosions near the Fujairah Challenger in the UAE halted play as evacuations occurred.

Scary scenes unfolded Tuesday at the Fujairah Challenger in the United Arab Emirates, where play was abruptly suspended after explosions were reportedly heard near the venue.

Players, officials and spectators were seen evacuating the site as sirens sounded overhead. Military aircraft were visible in the sky, and live broadcasts from the qualifying rounds captured the tense reactions of competitors and the chair umpire as they sought shelter.

The tournament, part of the ATP Challenger Tour, is being staged in Fujairah, the UAE’s seventh-largest city and a strategic port on the Gulf of Oman.

According to multiple reports, Iranian forces deployed unmanned drones targeting sites across the region, including oil facilities at the Port of Fujairah.

A full slate of qualifying matches had been scheduled, but play was halted immediately. With military escalation continuing in the region, the future of the event remains uncertain.

While the UAE is not a direct combatant in the conflict, it is a key U.S. ally and major logistical hub in the Gulf, leaving it exposed to spillover effects from broader hostilities.

The disruption extends beyond Fujairah. The ATP Tour confirmed Monday that a “small number" of players remain in Dubai following last week’s ATP 500 event due to regional instability and travel complications.

Among them is Daniil Medvedev, who won the singles title but has reportedly been unable to depart because of airspace disruptions caused by missile and drone activity.

With tours set to shift to California for the Masters and WTA 1000 events in Indian Wells, officials now face urgent decisions regarding evacuation plans, travel logistics and insurance contingencies.

For Challenger-level players, many operating with limited resources and smaller teams,  sudden suspension poses serious financial and scheduling challenges.

News sports tennis Live Explosions Force Players, Officials To Run Off Court At Fujairah Challenger In UAE | WATCH

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