Daniil Medvedev was handed the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships title after Tallon Griekspoor withdrew from the final, leaving a strangely quiet finish to a week that began with full stands and big expectations.
The withdrawal came as players and fans also dealt with sudden regional tension and airspace disruption, making an already awkward ending to the tournament feel both urgent and surreal for everyone involved.
Final Called Off Amid Injury And Regional Tension
Tallon Griekspoor left the semi with a hamstring problem and was reported as “deemed unfit to play” after a medical check, forcing the cancellation of the scheduled singles final and handing the trophy to Medvedev.
The event was held under added pressure as reports of strikes and retaliatory action in the region prompted some attendees to leave and airlines to cancel or divert flights while the United Arab Emirates briefly restricted air traffic.
As the doubles match continued with sparse crowds, a social post captured the odd scene: “For those wondering if tennis in Dubai is still a go… Doubles Final is underway,” a tweet that summed up the confused atmosphere around the courts.
Organisers moved carefully and medical teams assessed Griekspoor, who had aggravated his left hamstring in a 7-5 7-6 semi win over Andrey Rublev, creating the immediate reason for the withdrawal and tournament call.
Medvedev Clinches A Rare Repeat, But Not The Way He Wanted
Medvedev, who already had success in Dubai in 2023, was awarded the title, achieving a repeat that had eluded him elsewhere despite his long list of trophies and consistent tour performances.
Not how I want to win a final. Hoping the injury for Tallon is not too bad and wishing him a speedy recovery.
Daniil Medvedev
Medvedev called the result unfortunate and told the ATP he found it strange: “That’s what is crazy about it. I never did it in any city in the world, and the first time I do it, it’s a walkover,” a candid line about the oddity of the win.
At age 30, the Russian captured a milestone by winning the same tournament twice, despite having amassed 22 titles previously at different venues, a quirky stat that surprised even his own team and fans.
Medvedev also reinforced his strong recent form: he did not drop a set during the Dubai event and has collected 2 titles this year and 3 in the past four months, underlining his momentum heading into the spring hard court swing.
Doubles Winners And The Road To Indian Wells
On a quieter Sunday, Henry Patten and Harri Heliovaara won the doubles crown, beating Marcelo Arevalo and Mate Pavic 7-5 7-5, and continuing a strong partnership that has produced significant results this season.
Patten and Heliovaara have won 3 of their 4 tournaments together this year, a run that cements them among the more consistent teams on tour and brings a little normalcy to the weekend’s otherwise fraught headlines.
Off court, the event prompted travel questions for players headed to next week’s Indian Wells, as Medvedev’s camp explored options after the UAE “partially and temporarily” closed its airspace, complicating travel plans for many competitors.
Organisers and player representatives were working to route players safely toward the Sunshine Double, with close attention on logistics and the usual priority that top athletes and their teams place on avoiding unnecessary risk during international travel.
The Dubai finale will be remembered for good tennis interrupted by an injury and for geopolitics briefly touching the tour, a reminder that elite sport sits inside a bigger world that can impose sudden, unwelcome complications.
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Christoph Friedrich is a German tennis player and coach currently residing in Oakland, California. He began his tennis journey at the age of eight and has since dedicated his life to the sport. After working as a tennis coach and hitting partner in New York City for eight years, Christoph decided to share his knowledge and experience with tennis players around the world by creating the My Tennis Expert blog. His goal is to make tennis education accessible to everyone and help players select the best equipment for their game, from racquets and strings to shoes and overgrips. Christoph's extensive research and expertise in tennis technology make him a valuable resource for players of all levels.
