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By Goli Innocent
There was sudden panic at an ATP Challenger event in Fujairah on Tuesday after a drone interception linked to the Iran conflict sparked a fire near the city’s oil zone. What started as a normal morning of tennis quickly turned tense, forcing players and officials to abandon the court mid-match.
The tournament was taking place in Fujairah, in the United Arab Emirates, when loud blasts were heard in the distance. Japan’s Hayato Matsuoka and Russia’s Daniil Ostapenkov were in the middle of their third set when they grabbed what they could and sprinted off court as officials shouted instructions.
Authorities later confirmed that air defence systems intercepted a drone, but falling debris caused a fire at the Fujairah Oil Industry Zone, about 10 kilometres from the venue. Emergency responders moved in quickly, and no injuries were reported.
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Organisers wasted no time in suspending matches. The ATP announced that play was cancelled for the rest of the day, saying the safety of players, officials and staff remains the top priority while the situation is monitored closely.
The incident comes amid rising tensions in the region, with Iranian drone and missile activity in recent days following military strikes involving the United States and Israel. Gulf states have been on high alert as the crisis deepens.
Beyond the court, the conflict is already disrupting travel plans. Several players and officials remain stranded in Dubai due to airspace restrictions, a reminder that even sport cannot escape the ripple effects of geopolitical unrest.
