Former Australian Open doubles champion Henry Patten has launched a scathing critique of the ATP Tour's leadership, accusing the organisation of demonstrating a "real lack of understanding and empathy" during the chaotic evacuation of players from Dubai amid escalating Middle East conflict. The British tennis professional, alongside his doubles partner Harri Heliovaara, clinched the ATP 500 title in Dubai last Saturday, only to find themselves among approximately forty players, officials, and media personnel stranded as airspace closures and mass flight cancellations gripped the region.
Stranded Champions and a Costly Charter Offer
Patten and Heliovaara's victory celebrations were abruptly cut short when the United Arab Emirates came under attack, leaving them unable to depart as planned. Compounding the distress, Heliovaara's wife and two young children were also trapped. The ATP Tour's response included an offer of a chartered flight from Muscat, Oman, but this proposal was mired in controversy. The Professional Tennis Players Association revealed that players were initially expected to pay €5,000 each for the charter, prompting the PTPA to offer half the cost and demand the ATP cover the remainder to prevent players from choosing between safety and financial stability.
Leadership Under Fire
While Patten praised ATP representatives Arnau Brugues and Hans-Juergen Ochs for doing "a fantastic job" on the ground, he directed sharp criticism at ATP chief executive Eno Polo. In an interview with BBC Sport, Patten recounted Polo's approach: "I wasn't particularly happy when the CEO of the ATP called up and said 'We're going to charter you a plane. We don't have any information about it and you have an hour and a half to decide.' That showed a real lack of understanding and empathy, as he was sipping his coffee on a Zoom call."
Patten emphasised the need for robust crisis management, stating, "If the ATP is going to operate tournaments in Dubai, where certainly I was aware there was a lot of geopolitical tension, some kind of crisis management on the ground would have been good, which we didn't really receive. But it's difficult and a really, really complex situation." The ATP later confirmed it had fully funded the charter flights for those who accepted the offer.
Failed Escape Attempts and Tournament Controversy
The ordeal included a harrowing and unsuccessful 14-hour car journey to Oman, where the driver was turned back at the border due to inadequate paperwork. Even after securing an Omani-registered vehicle, it was too late to catch a flight, rendering the effort fruitless. Patten described this experience as "mentally quite tough." Eventually, he managed to board a flight to London via Cairo and Rome, arranged by Emirates airline representatives at his hotel shortly after the ATP's offer, though he noted the journey "wasn't particularly enjoyable."
Adding to the criticism, the ATP faced widespread backlash for not immediately cancelling a lower-level ATP Challenger event in Fujairah, approximately 120 kilometres from Dubai. The tournament proceeded on Monday and was only suspended on Tuesday after air strike sirens interrupted a match, with footage showing players fleeing the court in panic.
Personal Toll and Future Plans
Patten, a self-described nervous flier, admitted having to "pluck up the courage" to board the plane, with stress magnified by witnessing a drone strike on the US consulate just five minutes from his accommodation. As a result of this traumatic experience, Patten and Heliovaara have opted to skip the prestigious Indian Wells tournament in California, where they would have been among the favourites, instead prioritising rest and recuperation with family. This decision underscores the profound personal and professional impact of the crisis, highlighting the urgent need for improved emergency protocols in international sports.
