Tennis star stranded in Dubai opens up and admits ‘we want to get out ASAP’ | Tennis | Sport

A tennis star who is stranded in Dubai has revealed what he is going through alongside other players after being left stuck in the region. Iran has launched strikes on its neighbours in the Middle East, including the United Arab Emirates, after being bombarded by attacks from Israel and the United States over the weekend. The situation deteriorated before the conclusion of the Dubai Tennis Championships, which ended on Saturday.

Harri Heliovaara, who won the men’s doubles title alongside British partner Henry Patten, is among the players currently stranded. Airspace closures have affected Dubai, meaning those who are still there cannot leave as things stand. In a lengthy post on his own personal blog, Heliovaara revealed exactly what had unfolded from his perspective over the last 48 hours.

He wrote: “Much of the airspace in the surrounding areas is closed, so no flights have left Dubai Airport since yesterday morning.

“And so all of us players, the finalists and a few other doubles players, are stuck in Dubai. And of course all of the ATP staff, from the judges to the physiotherapists.

“And of course the coaches and other team and family members, around 30 people in total. The airspace closure here has been gradually extended and currently the Dubai Airport is not expected to open until 3pm on Monday at the earliest.”

Heliovaara also called for an end to hostilities in the Middle East, adding: “The missiles and drones fired from Iran are of course preventing civilian flights, so we hope that they will soon decrease.

“However, the location of our competition hotel right next to Dubai Airport allows for a quick departure if such an opportunity arises at some point.

Ensure our latest sport headlines always appear at the top of your Google Search by making us a Preferred Source. Click here to activate or add us as a Preferred Source in your Google search settings.

“We already had a couple of different reservations made for this day, but they were naturally cancelled. The next tickets are for Monday afternoon and there are also tickets for Tuesday on reserve.

“The instructions from the ATP have been very clear so far, the safest thing is to stay at the hotel and wait. From the United Arab Emirates, you can travel overland to Oman or Saudi Arabia, where airspace is open at least for the time being, but it wouldn’t be a simple trip there either.”

Heliovaara added that he expects to be allowed out of Dubai before the start of the Indian Wells Masters, where he is scheduled to compete alongside Patten later this week.

“We have the situation in Dubai quite well under control, the organisers are offering hotel accommodation and full board, and otherwise everything seems to be working pretty normally here,” he added.

“Of course, we want to get out as soon as possible, but sometimes the best things to do is just wait. The situation will definitely get better fro here and then we’ll have time for the Indian Wells tournament if we have time.”

EXPRESS SPORT ON FB! Get all the best sports news and much more on our Facebook page.