ATP funds emergency flights to Indian Wells amid Gulf travel disruption
The ATP has arranged fully funded charter flights to Indian Wells for stranded players after regional conflict caused widespread travel disruption across the Gulf.
Daniil Medvedev and Andrey Rublev were unable to reach California in time for Tuesday’s Eisenhower Cup exhibition.
Widespread flight cancellations have hit the region following air strikes involving the US, Israel and Iran.
The ATP also confirmed that a Challenger Tour event in the United Arab Emirates was abruptly halted on Tuesday due to a security alert.
Emergency travel measures
Players and tournament personnel were evacuated from the courts in Fujairah as the security situation escalated.
The Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA) revealed that the governing body initially offered charter flights at a cost of €5,000 (£4,300) per person.
Following pressure to ensure financial stability was not compromised by safety concerns, the ATP agreed to cover the full cost of evacuation.
The tour stated the flight was "fully funded by the ATP to assist with departures from the region at no cost to players".
Players left stranded
Belarusian Ilya Ivashka confirmed on social media that all personnel from the Fujairah tournament were being evacuated free of charge.
"Just got confirmation that all the people from the tournament in Fujairah will be evacuated with no cost," Ivashka wrote.
"Everything completely covered. Class act @atptour."
Medvedev, the world number four, had recently won the Dubai Championships but was forced to miss the tie-break event alongside Mirra Andreeva.
The 2021 US Open winner and Rublev are both seeded for the main draw at Indian Wells and are scheduled to play their first singles matches on Friday.
Concerns from the locker room
Current US Open champion Coco Gauff revealed her coach, Gavin MacMillan, remained stuck in the Middle East.
"He’s currently stuck, and I don’t know if he’s going to make it," Gauff said.
"I just want him to be safe."
Defending Indian Wells champion Jack Draper managed to leave Dubai on one of the final commercial flights before the disruption.
"I just hope the players and all the staff within the ATP are able to make it here," the Briton said.
"The main thing is that they’re safe."
