Riyadh’s airport is currently operating with relative normality, offering a potential gateway out of the region. Oman, by contrast, has closed its airport, further complicating that option. Despite the alternatives presented, players have collectively decided not to leave Dubai for now, prioritising safety over uncertain travel prospects.
The champions of the latest edition, as well as another handful of names who took part in the tournament, still remain in Dubai following the attacks that Iran has carried out in the city.
The ATP’s head of security has recommended that all affected individuals remain in their hotel, which has effectively been converted into a secure zone. Beds have reportedly been set up on a lower level of the building in case the intensity of attacks escalates. Iran has raised a red flag, signalling the possibility of missile launches at any time, heightening anxiety among those confined.
In total, 41 accredited individuals linked to the tour — including players, supervisors, umpires, security staff and journalists — remain in Dubai. All players have confirmed flight reservations scheduled to depart on Tuesday, 3 March. However, with Monday flights already facing cancellations, participation in Indian Wells is increasingly uncertain.
Airspace closure leaves Indian Wells participation in doubt
Local authorities remain hopeful that airspace could reopen by Monday afternoon, allowing a staggered departure of tourists and international visitors. At present, that scenario depends on whether drone and missile activity in the United Arab Emirates ceases. Several morning flights scheduled for Monday have already been cancelled, reinforcing doubts about immediate departures.
For players preparing for the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, the disruption could not come at a more delicate stage of the calendar. The Masters 1000 event marks the start of the prestigious “Sunshine Double,” traditionally attracting the world’s top-ranked athletes. With qualifying rounds imminent and main-draw matches scheduled within days, travel delays significantly reduce preparation time.
Security advice urges players to remain in Dubai
The ATP’s security advisory has been unequivocal: remain inside. The hotel environment has been described internally as a controlled space designed to minimise exposure should the regional situation deteriorate further. The installation of additional beds on the basement level reflects contingency planning for a potential intensification of hostilities.
Players have weighed the “pros and cons” of departing by road but have ultimately opted against the journey. A six-hour drive to Oman, whose airport remains closed, offers no immediate onward solution. A ten-hour trip to Riyadh presents fewer aviation restrictions but carries the inherent risks of long-distance travel during heightened geopolitical tension, compounded by extensive border queues.
With confirmed bookings for Tuesday departures, many are choosing to wait rather than undertake uncertain overland transfers. Nevertheless, each cancelled flight narrows the window to reach Indian Wells in competitive condition. As of now, their presence in the California draw is far from guaranteed, illustrating how external events can abruptly reshape the professional tennis calendar.