A camera captured players and officials running from the court due to the security alert. (X: ATP)
In short:
Players ran from the courts at an ATP Challenger event in Fujairah after play was halted abruptly due to a security alert sparked by the ongoing Middle East war.
The ATP later cancelled the tournament.
The governing body of the men's tour said the safety and wellbeing of its players, staff and tournament personnel was a priority.
An ATP Challenger tennis tournament in the United Arab Emirates was halted abruptly due to a security alert amid the ongoing Middle East war, as players and officials fled from the courts to designated safe areas.
Play in the Fujairah Challenger event — a lower-tier ATP tournament — was suspended in line with established security protocols, before being cancelled for the remainder of the day as a precaution.
Footage online showed Japan's Hayato Matsuoka and Belarusian Daniil Ostapenkov leave the court midway through their qualifying match before the chair umpire made an announcement and followed suit.
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The ATP later made the decision to cancel the tournament.
"Following ongoing security concerns in the region, the ATP Challenger Tour events scheduled in Fujairah this week and next week have been cancelled," the ATP said in a statement.
"The safety and wellbeing of our players and tournament personnel is our highest priority.
"Players remain on site and are being fully supported, with accommodation and all immediate needs covered while onward travel arrangements are explored."
Australians James McCabe, Cruz Hewitt and Jason Kubler were scheduled to play in the main draw.
The war has led to airspace closures and flight cancellations across parts of the gulf, disrupting a key transit hub for international sport and complicating player travel.