Insider update on Daniil Medvedev and Andrey Rublev’s Indian Wells plan as Dubai’s airspace remains closed

The teams of Daniil Medvedev and Andrey Rublev are reportedly working on a plan to help the Russian ATP stars and their close friends get to California in time for their campaigns at the 2026 BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells. As things stand, Medvedev and Rublev are in Dubai, with the duo unable to leave the UAE yet due to security measures taken amid the ongoing conflict between the US, Israel and Iran.

Both Medvedev and Rublev hit deep shots at this year’s Dubai Tennis Championships. While the latter finished in the semi-finals, the former won the title without playing the final as Talon Grekspor withdrew from the championship match due to injury. However, military operations launched by the United States and Israel in Iran and subsequent Iranian retaliatory attacks in the United Arab Emirates led to the closure of Dubai’s airspace.

As a result, Daniil Medvedev and Andrey Rublev had no choice but to remain in Dubai. However, Russian tennis journalist and insider Sofia Tartakova recently reported that both player teams are working to help them reach Indian Wells in time for the 2026 BNP Paribas Open campaigns. However, Tartakova was unable to confirm which route the players will take.

‘Everyone is worried’ – Daniil Medvedev talks about friends and family’s anxiety as Russian stranded in Dubai with wife and children

Just two days ago, Sofia Tartakova contacted Daniil Medvedev, who at the time was in a Dubai hotel with his team as well as his wife and children. The Russian former world number one and 2021 US Open champion spoke about his “extraordinary” situation and also briefly touched on how worried his family and friends are for him.

“The situation is unusual, but basically the only thing is that the airspace is closed, of course,” Medvedev said. “So, no one knows when we will be able to fly, and it is unclear whether this is in the long term or not.”

He later added: “Naturally, I have received a lot of messages from friends and family, and everyone is worried, but from my side I can say that everything is fine.” (Translated from Russian)

Daniil Medvedev and Andrey Rublev may be asked to head to Muscat, the capital of Oman, by land from Dubai and board a flight from there, as the airport there is operating despite recent unrest due to war-like conditions in the region.