DUBAI, UAE – Daniil Medvedev has been crowned champion at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships, but the victory came with a significant asterisk. The former world No. 1 was awarded the title on Saturday after Tallon Griekspoor was forced to withdraw from the final due to a left hamstring injury sustained during his semi-final win over Andrey Rublev. This marks Medvedev’s 23rd career ATP title and his second in Dubai, having previously won the tournament in 2023.
The unfortunate turn of events unfolded after Griekspoor suffered the injury while serving against Rublev on Friday. Despite completing the match and securing a straight-sets victory, the severity of the hamstring strain became apparent following medical evaluation. A scan revealed a serious injury, ruling the Dutchman unfit to compete in the final.
“I have been better, that’s for sure,” Griekspoor said during the trophy ceremony, as reported by the ATP Tour. “Unfortunately, I hurt myself during the semi-finals. I went to the hospital this morning and had a couple of scans, which showed something serious. It kept me from coming on court tonight and will keep me from the court in the coming weeks.”
Medvedev, currently ranked No. 11 in the PIF ATP Live Rankings, expressed his disappointment at the circumstances of his win. “Not how I wanted to win a final,” Medvedev posted on X (formerly Twitter). “Hoping the injury for Tallon is not too terrible and wishing him a speedy recovery.” The victory narrows the gap between Medvedev, and No. 10 Alexander Bublik to just 45 points in the rankings, as he continues his climb back into the Top 10.
This win is particularly notable for Medvedev as it represents the first time in his career he has won the same tournament twice. “That’s what is crazy about it,” Medvedev told the ATP Tour website. “I never did it in any city in the world, and the first time I do it, it’s [via] a walkover.”
The tournament wasn’t without broader concerns. According to reports, the final was briefly threatened by regional instability following missile strikes. The Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships proceeded, but the situation underscored the complex geopolitical landscape impacting global sporting events.
Medvedev’s path to the final was dominant, as he didn’t drop a single set throughout the entire tournament. He secured victories over challenging opponents, demonstrating strong form heading into the upcoming hard-court swing. The Russian’s consistent performance in Dubai builds on his earlier success this season, having also claimed the title in Brisbane in January.
Beyond the singles competition, the men’s doubles final also concluded successfully. Briton Henry Patten and Finland’s Harri Heliovaara secured back-to-back titles with a 7-5, 7-5 victory over Marcelo Arevalo and Mate Pavic. Patten and Heliovaara have now won three of their four tournaments together this year, establishing themselves as a formidable doubles pairing.
Looking ahead, Medvedev faces a logistical challenge. His representative informed the New York Times that they are working to determine travel arrangements to California for next week’s Indian Wells tournament, as the United Arab Emirates partially and temporarily closed its airspace in response to the regional security situation. The situation highlights the potential for disruptions to the ATP Tour schedule.
While Medvedev celebrates his Dubai triumph, the focus now shifts to his recovery and preparation for Indian Wells. The injury to Griekspoor is a significant setback for the Dutchman, whose promising run in Dubai was cut short. Fans will be watching closely to see how both players fare in the weeks to come.
Medvedev’s next confirmed appearance is expected to be at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, California, beginning March 10th. Further updates on his travel arrangements and potential seeding will be available on the official ATP Tour website.
