Medvedev, Rublev to miss Indian Wells exhibition event due to war-related travel disruptions

INDIAN WELLS, California, March 4 : Russian tennis players Daniil Medvedev and Andrey Rublev will not arrive in Indian Wells in time to participate in Tuesday night's exhibition event after they were among those impacted by travel disruptions caused by the war in Iran. 

The U.S. and Israel launched air strikes on Iran over the weekend and the conflict has led to ​airspace closures and widespread flight cancellations across parts ​of the Gulf, disrupting a key transit hub. 

Former world number one Medvedev, who won the Dubai Championships title via a walkover ⁠on Saturday, had been scheduled to play in the Eisenhower Cup, a one-night Tie Break Tens doubles event alongside fellow Russian Mirra Andreeva. 

American Amanda Anisimova had been paired with Rublev for the event on the eve of the main draw of the Indian Wells tournament in the Southern California desert. 

Medvedev, a two-time finalist at the tournament who is seeded 11th, and 17th seed Rublev are both scheduled to play their first singles matches on Friday. 

CHALLENGER EVENT HALTED

Fallout from the conflict also led to the abrupt halt and cancellation of an ATP Challenger event in the United Arab Emirates on Tuesday due to a security alert, causing players and tournament personnel to flee from ‌the courts.

The Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA) said the ATP Tour was offering players the option of a charter flight at 5,000 euros ($5,800) per person, paid out of pocket, to leave the country.

PTPA offered to pay half of the cost for the players and called on the ATP Tour to cover the rest.

"We are taking this step to ensure that no player is forced to choose between their safety and their financial stability," the PTPA said in a statement.

The ATP Tour did not