Conflict in the Middle East: Tennis players criticize the ATP’s decision to start the tournament in the United Arab Emirates

Anger among some players reached boiling point when an ATP representative sent an email to inform them that a charter flight out of the Middle East had been arranged – but it would cost them $5,000 (£3,750) each.

The prize money for winning the Fujairah tournament was $9,500 (£7,100). A loss in the first round would have earned her $600 (£470).

After the players announced the matter, the ATP said that it would cover the cost of the charter flight, which went to Milan via a stop in Egypt.

Sharipov was unable to travel to Italy because he does not have a visa to enter Europe.

Landing in Egypt was an option, but it meant leaving his belongings – including the rackets, tools and equipment that constitute his livelihood – with no guarantee of when he would be reunited with them.

The 23-year-old felt he had no choice but to stay in the UAE and look for alternatives.

“The ATP knew I wouldn’t be able to travel to Europe, so I think they should have said to us: ‘We’ll sort something out for you,'” Sharipov told BBC Sport.

He added: “They did not do that. They just said: There is a trip that you cannot take. This is very bad from my point of view.”

McCabe was able to leave on Tuesday and was able to book the first flight back to Sydney.

“It was a bit of a shock that the ATP didn’t support us getting the flights out of there. We were left to our own devices,” the 22-year-old McCabe said.

“As soon as we heard we needed to pay five thousand dollars, everyone was pulling their hair out.”

The duo said those who arranged their own trips were initially told they would not receive compensation from the ATP and would not receive any in the absence of prize money.

Later on Friday, they were informed that the ATP was “reviewing support payments” to help those players who lost money.

While many players have publicly expressed their complaints about the ATP’s handling of the situation, sources at the governing body say a number of players who left on the Milan flight expressed their gratitude.

They also point out the difficulty of arranging logistics in sensitive and constantly changing circumstances.