What could happen next?<\/p>\n
The i Paper has been told that Singapore and Australia have been mooted as possible replacement hosts, but neither is believed to have made a formal approach. Bosses would prefer to switch the tournaments to Europe but, on the ATP side at least, there are no immediately forthcoming options.<\/p>\n
The WTA tournaments are an even bigger challenge because they are 1000-level, the highest level of tour event outside the grand slams, with more players in the draw and therefore a greater infrastructure footprint. Singapore is hosting a WTA 500 event next week but that only features 28 singles players, half the size of the Dubai or Doha event it would have to replace.<\/p>\n
That extra size comes with significantly more cost for a last-minute host, with authorities in Dubai or Doha unlikely to foot the bill given they will be bullish on their ability to host.<\/p>\n
Both cities\u2019 significant international airports remain open, despite the breakdown of a summer ceasefire between the US and Iran.<\/p>\n
However, Safe Airspace, an independent organisation with 7,000 members, made up of airlines, private charter operators, military and government, rates both Qatar and UAE\u2019s airspace with a \u201cLevel 3 \u2013 Caution\u201d. The European Union Aviation Safety Agency offers similar advice, telling airlines to \u201cexercise caution and take potential risks into account when operating in the airspace of Bahrain, Kuwait, Israel, Jordan, Qatar, Oman, UAE and Saudi Arabia\u201d.<\/p>\n
Could tournaments still go ahead in Middle East?<\/p>\n
![\"RIYADH,](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/SEI_312811779.jpg\")
Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner are set to return to Riyadh for the \u2018Six Kings Slam\u2019 next month (Photo: Getty)<\/p>\n
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia\u2019s capital, is due to host a lucrative exhibition tournament next month featuring Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner, Alexander Zverev, Taylor Fritz and Alex De Minaur. Last year, each participant received a $1.5m (\u00a31.12m) appearance fee, with the overall winner receiving another $4.5m (\u00a33.36m) in prize money.<\/p>\n
It is seen as a dry run for the risk assessment of any event further east, and sources in the Middle East are hoping its success will strengthen their case not to have the licence for the 2027 tournaments in Dubai and Doha temporarily revoked.<\/p>\n
However, fighting between Houthi rebels in Yemen and a Saudi-led coalition has intensified in recent weeks. The Houthis claimed to have downed a Saudi fighter jet over Yemen this week, and launched missiles at targets in Saudi Arabia itself, albeit predominantly at targets in the south west, hundreds of miles from Riyadh.<\/p>\n
More on tennis<\/p>\n
Special report: Emma Raducanu\u2019s US Open triumph five years on, told by her opponents<\/a><\/p>\n