Middle East conflict: Tennis players criticise ATP decision to start tournament in United Arab Emirates

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By news.saerio.com


Anger among the players reached boiling point when an ATP representative sent an email informing them that a chartered flight out of the Middle East was being arranged – but would cost them $5,000 (£3,750) each.

Prize money for winning the Fujairah tournament would have been almost $9,500 (£7,100). Losing in the first-round would have been $600 (£470).

After players made the situation public, the ATP said it would cover the cost of the chartered flight, which went to Milan via a stop in Egypt.

Sharipov was not able to fly to Italy because he does not have a European visa.

Disembarking in Egypt was an option, but meant leaving his luggage – including the racquets, kit and equipment which are his livelihood – with no guarantee when he would be reunited with it.

The 23-year-old felt he had no option but to stay in the UAE and search for alternatives.

“The ATP knew I could not travel to Europe so I think they should have said ‘we will sort something out for you’,” Sharipov told BBC Sport.

“They did not do this. They just said ‘there is a flight that you cannot make’. That’s really bad in my view.”

McCabe was able to leave on Tuesday, managing to book on to the first flight back to Sydney.

“It was a bit of a shock that the ATP didn’t support us with the flights getting out of there. We were left to our own devices,” said 22-year-old McCabe.

“As soon as we heard we needed to pay five grand everyone was pulling their hair out.”

The pair say those who arranged their own flights will not be reimbursed by the ATP. They have also been told players will receive no compensation in the absence of prize money.

BBC Sport has contacted the ATP for comment.



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