The first clue that this week would be different didn’t happen on a tennis court—it appeared on my phone.
The last session of this year’s Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships was ending on a quiet note, as Daniil Medvedev took his second title of the year in a walkover against Tallon Griekspoor, who had to withraw with a leg injury sustained in his semifinal match. As we were all assembled on the grounds, a loud alert blared from everyone’s pockets. The alarm was impossible to ignore. Its message was simple: hide in shelters.
At that moment, tennis was no longer the main focus. Still, at the venue in Dubai, nothing seemed to change. Inside the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships, it felt like the world was closed off. Matches continued. People laughed. Families walked through the village with their children. The outside courts were busy. From the stands, it looked like a city having fun, not one dealing with missile alerts and airport closures.
The difference between the loud alerts and the calm scenes around us never faded.
Airports closed before the tournament confirmed what would end the week’s story: the Dutch player had to withdraw. Earlier, organizers said the final would go ahead, but Griekspoor couldn’t play due to injury.
The real uncertainty wasn’t about tennis, but about what might come from the sky. Until late afternoon, around 5pm local time, the outcome felt unclear, almost unreal. When the news finally came, it confirmed what many already thought: the final would not happen. The reason was explained in sports terms.
Tallon said during the post-ceremony: "I tried my best to play; I went to the doctor this morning, but unfortunately, I couldn’t step on court." This is the kind of matches I practice for, I am disappointed but happy with my week overall,”
Although formal press conferences were not held for the winner or runner-up. Instead, a short statement appeared later in the journalists’ WhatsApp group. It was efficient, contained, and procedural.
The athletes did not speak publicly about what was happening outside the venue, and tennis continued as usual. The doubles final went ahead as planned. Watching from the stands, it felt like any other Sunday, even though organizers had confirmed the match would go on despite Iranian attacks on the UAE that day. Afterward, there was a ceremony for the men’s champions with applause, smiles, and photos. The routine of sport continued, even as everything else changed.
Disappointment was quiet, no raised voices or dramatic complaints. There were just pauses, unfinished sentences, and a sense that everyone was thinking the same thing but not saying it. Silence said more than any quote could. Spectators still came with their families, walking through the village to watch matches outside the courts and stay updated on the situation. The tournament later announced a 50% refund because there was no final.
The 2021 US Open champion mentioned during the ceremony: This is the only trophy I broke at home, so now I am happy to have another one.”
By the end of the week, it was hard to tell what felt more fragile: the schedule, the draw, the final, or the belief that sport can stay separate from the world around it.
Mamoune Hazmoune is a journalist and broadcaster living in Marrakech, Morocco.
