The strikes came before the conclusion of the Dubai Tennis Championships, which ended on Saturday, with Patten and Finnish partner Harri Heliovaara taking the men’s doubles title. It’s their second consecutive doubles win, but the pair’s celebrations were quelled after the outbreak of violence in the Middle East.

All flights out of Dubai had been grounded by Saturday evening, meaning Patten, his playing partner, and plenty of other tennis stars were stuck in the middle of an active conflict zone. As well as the obvious security concerns, it poses a problem given that the first Masters 1000 event of the year kicks off in Indian Wells on Wednesday.

Issuing an update on X, journalist Reem Abulleil, who was on the ground covering the tournament, said: “Players (incl. Rublev, Medvedev, Griekspoor, Heliovaara, Patten, Arevalo, Pavic) & their coaches are still in Dubai, along w[ith] officials, a couple of tennis journalists, myself & the tournament stenographer.

“DDF were kind enough to extend our hotel stay until March 4 and we are well taken care of. I left the hotel today and I’m staying with a friend in Dubai. There have been missile/ drone interceptions across Dubai, but we’ve been safe so far and are just waiting for the airspace to reopen.

“They have been periodically extending the period of airspace closure, with the current notice indicating no flying until at least 3pm tomorrow. This will likely be extended again.”

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Patten will be hoping to get out of the UAE and over to the US in time for Indian Wells, but speaking after his third ATP title of 2026 so far, he said: “As always in doubles, the margins are so fine. There’s no room to get complacent. You go on highs and then very quickly, you [can] find yourself in a low. We’ll try to ride this one and extend it for as long as possible.”

Patten was one of several British sportspeople caught up in the Middle East, with cricketer Jonny Bairstow having sent a public plea to Prime Minister Keir Starmer to rescue the England Lions squad. The team were in the UAE for a 50-over match against Pakistan Shaheens, but the contest had to be cancelled due to recent developments.

Writing on social media, Bairstow said: “If anyone has any intel in Dubai please reach out. Keep safe.” While in a separate post, he added: “If anyone has any intel in Dubai please reach out… Stay safe… @britishembassyuae @keirstarmer.”