STARNBERG, March 3, 2026
Play has been suspended at the inaugural Fujairah Challenger in the United Arab Emirates following reports of a fire at a nearby oil refinery, allegedly caused by debris from drones targeting oil infrastructure in the area. According to several players, all participants have been evacuated as a precaution.
Ukrainian Vladyslav Orlov, who secured his second round qualifying win to reach the main draw on Tuesday, spoke about the situation after leaving the venue. While matches have been halted for now, the hard-court tournament has not officially been cancelled, and it remains unclear whether play will resume.
Vladyslav Orlov spoke about the situation at the Challenger in Fujairah (UAE), where he won his second qualifying match today to reach the main draw.
Reports indicate that Iranian drones targeted oil infrastructure in Fujairah.
All players have been evacuated and play has… pic.twitter.com/ajNLVcewUO
— Ukrainian Tennis • BTU (@ukrtennis_eng) March 3, 2026
The first edition of the Fujairah Challenger is being held this and next week at the Tennis & Country Club Fujairah. Each tournament offers a total prize pool of $63,000. The champion will earn 50 ATP Ranking points.
Fujairah is one of the seven emirates that make up the UAE. Located on the country’s east coast along the Gulf of Oman, it is the only emirate that lies entirely outside the Persian Gulf. Surrounded by the Hajar Mountains, Fujairah is known for its beaches, port facilities, and growing importance in oil storage and maritime trade. The city of Fujairah serves as the capital of the emirate and is a key commercial and tourism hub in the region.
