Tennis world No.10 issues update after seeing Iran strikes while on Dubai flight | Tennis | Sport

Alexander Bublik shared a harrowing message after being caught up in the terror of the Iranian airstrikes while on a flight out of Dubai. The ATP world No.10 had been leaving the United Arab Emirates after competing at the Dubai Tennis Championship when the US-Israeli strikes hit.

Tensions in the region flared over the weekend when a US-Israeli airstrike flattened parts of the Iranian capital, Tehran. It also led to the death of the supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, with the Iranian military forces launching retaliatory attacks as a result.

That included a brutal bombing campaign on tourist hotspots in Dubai, with the famous Palm Jumeirah among the targeted areas. It’s caused chaos for expats and holiday makers, along with sports stars who were competing in the region, with Bublik among those travelling out of Dubai at the time of the attacks.

Thankfully for Bublik though, his flight to Las Vegas departed before any of the missiles landed in Dubai. Which is just as well, given all commercial flights out of the UAE were grounded following the initial attacks from Iranian forces.

Taking to social media to update his fans, the Kazakhstani ace said: “Recieved tones of messages, wanted to say that I have landed safely in Las Vegas and see you tomorrow at @tmobilearena. Thank you for your kindness guys.”

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Remarkably, the final day of action at the Dubai Tennis Championships went ahead on Saturday, although the men’s singles final was cancelled because of an injury to Tallon Griekspoor. It meant that Daniil Medvedev took home the title by default, while Harri Heliovaara and Henry Patten won the doubles event.

A statement from the UK government warned against travel to the region. It read: “Iran must never be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon and that is why we have continually supported efforts to reach a negotiated solution. Our immediate priority is the safety of UK nationals in the region and we will provide them with consular assistance, available 24/7.

“As part of our longstanding commitments to the security of our allies in the Middle East, we have a range of defensive capabilities in the region, which we have recently bolstered. We stand ready to protect our interests. We do not want to see further escalation into a wider regional conflict.”