Daniil Medvedev walked away with his second Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships title on Saturday, but the victory came without a final match as opponent Tallon Griekspoor pulled out due to a left hamstring injury.
The Russian, who first triumphed here in 2023, added a 23rd ATP trophy to his collection in unusual circumstances, hours before regional tensions escalated with Iranian missile strikes on the United Arab Emirates.
Griekspoor, the 28-year-old Dutchman, had shown signs of trouble during his semi-final upset over Andrey Rublev on Friday. He landed awkwardly after a serve late in the first set, yet pushed through to claim a 7-5, 7-6 (8-6) win.
Limping into his press conference afterward, Griekspoor admitted the pain was severe and hinted he might not recover in time. “I barely could walk after the match,” he said, adding that he would have retired if he’d lost the second set.
Tournament officials confirmed on Saturday afternoon that Griekspoor was unfit to compete following a medical check. The announcement came shortly before the scheduled 7 p.m. start, leaving Medvedev as the walkover winner.
Griekspoor later shared his disappointment on Instagram: “Not the way I wanted to finish the week here in Dubai. I’ll be out for a few weeks.” He apologized to fans and organizers, expressing regret over missing what would have been his biggest career final.
For Medvedev, the outcome marked a bittersweet end to a strong week. The 30-year-old had cruised through his four matches without dropping a set, including a dominant semi-final over Felix Auger-Aliassime.
“Of course unfortunate, but Tallon, I could see yesterday that maybe he had an injury,” Medvedev said in comments released by the ATP. “You never know how these injuries develop through the night. Sometimes they get easier and you can play, like with some soreness. Sometimes they get worse, so I guess it got worse.”
He added, “I cannot do anything about it. I played a great tournament, the four matches I played. Of course I wanted to play the final, but it is what it is. I played an unbelievable match yesterday, so I would, either way, take it as a final for me and I’m happy to win the tournament.”
This win holds special meaning for Medvedev, as it breaks a curious pattern in his career. Before Saturday, all 22 of his titles had come at different events—no repeats. Dubai now stands as the first venue where he’s defended or reclaimed a crown.
“Of course (I take) a lot of confidence,” he reflected. “But tennis is a very fast-going sport, so one week you can play not the way you want and the other week you’re playing amazing. So I just hope to bring this confidence from the four matches I played into Indian Wells, for sure.”
Medvedev’s performance in Dubai signals a return to form after a mixed start to 2026. He kicked off the year with a title in Brisbane but stumbled early in Rotterdam and Doha. Here, his baseline precision and defensive skills shone, reminiscent of his peak years. He dispatched opponents with efficiency, dropping just 18 games across his wins over players like Jerry Shang and Auger-Aliassime.
Griekspoor’s run to the final was a breakthrough for the Dutch No. 1. Ranked outside the top 20 entering the week, he notched career-best victories over Rublev and others, showcasing his powerful serve and groundstrokes. The injury, however, cuts short his momentum and likely sidelines him for several weeks, potentially affecting his Sunshine Double preparations.
The singles final’s cancellation contrasted with the doubles event, which proceeded as planned. Ivan Dodig and Austin Krajicek claimed the title over another pair in a tight contest, providing some on-court action for spectators amid the day’s disruptions.
Adding complexity to the tournament’s close was the broader geopolitical situation. Iranian strikes targeted UAE sites following U.S. and Israeli actions against Iran, leading to partial airspace closures across the region.
Dubai’s airports suspended all operations until further notice, throwing players’ travel plans into disarray. Many, including Medvedev, were set to head directly to California for the Indian Wells Masters, an ATP 1000 event starting next week.
Medvedev expressed uncertainty about his next steps. “I still didn’t know how I was going to make it to California and will be waiting on updates regarding the reopening of the Gulf region’s airspace,” he said.
Other players echoed similar concerns, with some exploring alternative routes or delays. The ATP has not yet commented on potential scheduling adjustments for Indian Wells, but the situation underscores the challenges of global travel in tennis.
Despite the abrupt ending, Medvedev’s week in Dubai reinforces his status as a top contender. At 30, he’s navigating the later stages of his prime, but his consistency on hard courts—where he’s won 19 of his 23 titles—remains a strength. Griekspoor, meanwhile, can take positives from his deep run, even if recovery now takes priority.
As the tour shifts to Indian Wells, questions linger about player fitness and logistics. Medvedev, if he arrives in time, will aim to build on this momentum. For now, his second Dubai title stands as a testament to his preparation, even if the final chapter wrote itself.
