Heliovaara describes playing Dubai final amid explosions and jet noise
Finnish doubles star Harri Heliovaara has described the surreal experience of winning the Dubai Tennis Championships while hearing explosions and fighter jets overhead following missile attacks in the region.
The 36-year-old and his British partner Henry Patten were in the United Arab Emirates when geopolitical tensions escalated dramatically.
Heliovaara was woken at 02:00 local time by emergency alerts on his phone warning of incoming missiles.
‘Are we still playing?’
Despite the unfolding situation, the doubles final against Mate Pavic and Marcelo Arevalo went ahead as scheduled.
Local authorities had issued no shelter-in-place orders, prompting the ATP to confirm play could continue.
However, the reality of the strikes became apparent as the players prepared to take the court.
“We were walking to the court, and at the same time you could hear this huge roar of fighter planes,” Heliovaara told The Athletic.
“It was crazy. And then, during the first set, we heard some explosions. And you think, ‘Are we still playing, really?'”
Heliovaara noted that the match atmosphere remained “surprisingly normal” despite the audible disturbances and a sparse crowd.
The decision to play on
The Finnish player admitted the team came “very close” to requesting the match be cancelled.
The reigning Wimbledon champions were ultimately swayed by the total loss of ranking points and prize money if the final was scrapped.
“Everybody is a little greedy,” Heliovaara acknowledged regarding the collective decision to compete.
Patten urged his team-mate to focus on victory, noting that a loss under such stress would linger in their minds for days.
The duo went on to secure the title with a straight-sets 7-5 7-5 victory.
Singles finalists Daniil Medvedev and Tallon Griekspoor were also briefed by the ATP alongside the doubles specialists before their matches proceeded.
An ATP spokesperson stated the decision to play was “in line with guidance from local authorities at the time”.
