UAE Tennis Tournament Suspended After Drone Strikes

A Challenger Tour tennis tournament in Fujairah, United Arab Emirates, was abruptly suspended and subsequently cancelled on Tuesday, March 3, 2026, after an Iranian drone attack led to a fire at a nearby oil terminal. The incident prompted players and officials to flee the court mid-match, raising concerns about safety in the region.

Drone Attack Disrupts Play

The disruption occurred during matches at the Fujairah Challenger event, located approximately 90 miles east of Dubai. Players, including Japan’s Hayato Matsuoka and Russia’s Daniil Ostapenkov, along with umpires and line judges, were forced to evacuate the court as a precautionary measure. A live feed from the ATP website captured the scene as players rushed off the court during a third-set match. Tournament officials were heard directing attendees to leave the area.

Oil Terminal Targeted

According to the Government of Fujairah media office, the fire broke out in the Fujairah Oil Industry Zone as a result of falling debris from a drone intercepted by air defense systems [BBC]. The attack is part of a series of Iranian drone and missile attacks targeting the UAE over the past three days, in response to US and Israeli strikes on Iran [Al Jazeera].

ATP Response and Tournament Cancellation

The ATP initially postponed play for the remainder of the day before making the decision to cancel the remainder of the Fujairah Challenger event, as well as another Challenger Tour event scheduled for the following week [ESPN]. The ATP stated that the safety and wellbeing of players and tournament personnel is their highest priority, and that those remaining on site are being fully supported with accommodation and travel arrangements [BBC].

Player Reactions

Ukrainian player Vladyslav Orlov, who was playing at the time of the incident, reported hearing jets flying overhead and observing smoke in the air, stating, “It’s not very safe here right now” [BBC]. Other players expressed similar concerns about the security situation.

Travel Arrangements for Players

The ATP is working to facilitate travel arrangements for players to leave the country. Initial communications suggested a charter flight option for €5,000 ($5,801), but the governing body is exploring alternative options to assist players with their departure [ESPN].

No injuries were reported as a result of the incident.