A positive update has emerged regarding Daniil Medvedev and Learner Tien: the duo has arrived at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden and was recently seen practicing. Both players reached the Masters 1000 event after being stranded in Dubai amid rising tensions in the Middle East.
Daniil Medvedev and Andrey Rublev Make It to Indian Wells After Successfully Escaping Middle Eastern Tensions
After being handed the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships title following Tallon Griekspoor’s withdrawal ahead of the final on Feb. 28, Medvedev was unable to leave Dubai as geopolitical tensions in the region escalated.
The unrest intensified after reported U.S. and Israeli airstrikes on Iran, triggering retaliatory missile and drone strikes across parts of the Gulf, including Qatar, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Jordan.
This situation prompted heightened security measures across the region, with aviation authorities adjusting flight paths and suspending select routes as a precaution. As a result, Andrey Rublev, who had reached the semifinals of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships, also found himself unable to leave Dubai.
The travel chaos also forced both players to withdraw from the Eisenhower Cup exhibition at Indian Wells. Rublev was scheduled to partner with Amanda Anisimova, while Medvedev was set to team up with Mirra Andreeva.
The players, joined by fellow Russian Karen Khachanov, eventually managed to navigate their way out of the region. The trio reportedly travelled overland to Oman before boarding a private jet to Istanbul, then continuing on to Los Angeles. According to a recent update, they have now arrived safely in Indian Wells. Check out the update by Olivier van Lindonk, Senior Vice President at WME/IMG Tennis, which represents Medvedev.
Arrived! pic.twitter.com/SkenUJn2r3
— Olivier van Lindonk (@Lindonk) March 5, 2026
Moreover, Medvedev and Rublev wasted little time in their preparations, hitting the practice courts ahead of the first Masters 1000 event of the season.
UPDATE: Daniil Medvedev and Andrey Rublev have hit the practice courts at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden. The tennis stars were among a group stuck in Dubai for several days due to the Iran conflict @BlakeArthur24 @kendallkesq
Details: https://t.co/VdLLHqiIVz pic.twitter.com/owtRwswGef
— KESQ News Channel 3 (@KESQ) March 5, 2026
Medvedev enters the tournament as the 11th seed and has received a direct entry into the second round. The Russian will arrive with strong momentum, having already secured titles in the Brisbane International and the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships this season. He will face the winner of the opening-round clash between Alejandro Tabilo and Rafael Jodar, with PFSN’s exclusive simulator giving the Spaniard a 59% chance of prevailing.
Meanwhile, Rublev has also received a bye into the second round and is set to face Gabriel Diallo, who advanced after defeating Mattia Bellucci in straight sets in the opening round. According to PFSN’s simulator, the Russian holds a 76% chance of winning the match.
