Medvedev Secures Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships Title Following Griekspoor Injury

Daniil Medvedev has been awarded his second Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships title in four years after Tallon Griekspoor was forced to withdraw from the final due to a left hamstring injury. The announcement came on Saturday, February 28, 2026, marking an unusual end to the ATP 500 tournament.

Griekspoor’s Injury and Withdrawal

Tallon Griekspoor sustained the injury during his semi-final victory over Andrey Rublev on Friday. He landed awkwardly after a serve and, despite completing the match, subsequent medical scans revealed a serious hamstring strain. “I have been better, that’s for sure,” Griekspoor said during the trophy ceremony. “Unfortunately, I hurt myself during the semi-finals. I went to the hospital this morning and had a couple of scans, which showed something serious. It kept me from coming on court tonight and will preserve me from the court in the coming weeks.” ATP Tour

Medvedev’s Second Dubai Title

This victory marks Medvedev’s 23rd tour-level title and his second of the 2026 season, following his win in Brisbane in January. Notably, it is the first time the 30-year-old has won the same tournament twice, having previously triumphed in Dubai in 2023. ATP Tour

Ranking Implications

Currently ranked No. 11 in the PIF ATP Live Rankings, Medvedev is now just 45 points behind No. 10 Alexander Bublik as he aims to return to the Top 10 for the first time since June of last year. ATP Tour

Medvedev’s Reaction

“That’s what is crazy about it,” Medvedev commented. “I never did it in any city in the world, and the first time I do it, it’s [via] a walkover.” He also expressed his desire to carry the momentum into the upcoming Indian Wells tournament. “I played unreal the whole week, so I was actually really looking forward to the final and trying to play even better than I did. But it is what it is and I’m really happy with how the week turned out in general.” ATP Tour

Airspace Closure and Travel Concerns

The tournament concluded amidst unusual circumstances, as UAE airspace was closed on Saturday at 1pm as a precautionary measure due to Iranian attacks on the UAE. This closure, announced by the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), raises concerns about the participation of several players – including Medvedev and Griekspoor – in the upcoming ATP Masters 1000 tournament at Indian Wells. The National News

Doubles Final Proceeded as Planned

Despite the broader security concerns, the doubles final between Harri Heliovaara and Henry Patten and the pairing of Marcelo Arevalo and Mate Pavic was successfully held. The National News