Conflict in the Middle East: How does sports deal with jet lag?

Daniil Medvedev, winner of the Dubai Tennis Championships, is among the tennis players facing disruption to their schedule.

Russia’s representative said they are trying to determine how Medvedev will travel to California to participate in the Indian Wells tournament next week after the United Arab Emirates closed its airspace “partially and temporarily.”

Finn Hari Heliovaara, who won the men’s doubles alongside Britain’s Henry Batten, said his travel plans “are still uncertain.”

“All of us, the players, the finalists and a few other doubles players, are stuck in Dubai. [Plus] “All ATP staff, referees, physiotherapists, coaches and other team members and family members – a total of about 30 people,” Heliovaara wrote in his blog., external.

He added that the option of departing by land had been explored, but that would require either a five-hour flight to Muscat – although bad traffic jams were reported on the Omani border – or a trip of more than 10 hours to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

The ATP said it remains in direct contact with those affected, with “a small number of players and team members” still in Dubai being accommodated in official tournament hotels “where their immediate needs are fully supported.”

The ATP Challenger Tour kicks off in Fujairah, UAE as planned this week, but is operating with tight security and being held behind closed doors as a precaution.