British doubles player Henry Patten has described the frightening experience of escaping Dubai after missile and drone attacks linked to the escalating Middle East conflict left players stranded in the United Arab Emirates.
The 29-year-old Grand Slam champion was among around 40 players, officials and media members unable to immediately leave the country after Iranian missile strikes hit the region. Patten eventually managed to return to London via Cairo and Rome but said the journey was one of the most stressful experiences of his life.
Drone Strike Witnessed Nearby
Patten said the seriousness of the situation became clear when he saw a drone strike hit the US consulate building just minutes from his hotel.
He also heard several explosions during his extended stay in Dubai, including one that woke him during the night when debris or a drone struck near the airport.
Despite the tension, daily life around the player hotel appeared strangely normal. Patten recalled people continuing to swim and play golf nearby, even as explosions echoed in the distance.
He said that without access to news or social media, he might not have realised how serious the conflict had become.
Difficult Journey Out of the UAE
Patten initially attempted to leave the country by road, travelling with his doubles partner Harri Heliovaara and the Finn’s family on a seven-hour journey toward the border with Oman.
However, the plan collapsed when their UAE-registered car was denied permission to cross the border due to missing documentation. After switching vehicles, delays from border officials meant they ran out of time to reach a flight from Muscat.
The group had no choice but to return to Dubai after the long journey.
Patten admitted the failed trip was mentally exhausting after he had already struggled to commit to the road journey in the first place.
Anxiety During Escape Flight
Eventually Patten secured a flight departing Dubai early the following morning. As someone who already suffers from anxiety while flying, the circumstances made the journey especially difficult.
He described the first hours of the flight as the longest he had ever experienced, particularly after witnessing the drone strike so close to the hotel just the day before.
Criticism and Praise for ATP Response
The ATP Tour extended hotel bookings and covered meals for stranded players as the situation unfolded. Patten acknowledged the efforts of tournament officials on the ground, saying they did the best they could while responsible for dozens of people in a potential war zone.
However, he criticised the ATP leadership for poor communication when players were briefly offered the chance to board a charter flight from Oman with little notice.
He suggested that if tournaments are staged in politically sensitive regions, organisers should have stronger crisis management plans in place.
Tennis Takes a Back Seat
Patten and Heliovaara had just won the Dubai doubles title, their second ATP title in consecutive weeks.
The pair were expected to be among the leading seeds at the Indian Wells Masters in California, but the stressful week has forced them to withdraw.
Patten said the experience left him mentally and physically exhausted, adding that spending time with his family and fiancée was now the priority after an ordeal that put tennis firmly in the background.
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