Daniil Medvedev captured the title at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships in an unexpected fashion, as he clinched the championship without stepping on the court for the final. His opponent, Tallon Griekspoor, was forced to withdraw due to a left hamstring injury sustained during his semi-final match against Andrey Rublev.
In the semi-finals, Griekspoor showcased his determination and skill, managing to defeat Rublev with a score of 7-5, 7-6(6). However, the physical toll of the match proved too great, as Griekspoor suffered an unfortunate fall while serving, which subsequently led to his injury. After undergoing scans in the hospital, Griekspoor confirmed the seriousness of his condition, stating his inability to compete in the final.
“I have been better, that’s for sure,” he commented during the trophy presentation. “Unfortunately, I hurt myself during the semi-finals. I went to the hospital this morning and had a couple of scans, which showed something serious. It kept me from coming on court tonight and will keep me from the court in the coming weeks.”
With this victory, Medvedev secured his 23rd title at the tour level and his second of the 2026 season, having previously triumphed in Brisbane earlier in the year. Remarkably, this victory in Dubai marks the first time Medvedev has won the same tournament twice, as he also emerged victorious in Dubai in 2023.
Reflecting on the achievement, Medvedev expressed both gratitude and a hint of disbelief. “That’s what is crazy about it,” he remarked when discussing the significance of winning the tournament for the second time. “I never did it in any city in the world, and the first time I do it, it’s [via] a walkover… We knew before the start of the week, the way I was practicing, I couldn’t miss a ball. We knew it was going to be a great week. It was a great week and I’m looking forward to the next tournaments to come.”
Looking ahead, Medvedev is set to participate in the ATP Masters 1000 event in Indian Wells, where he has reached the finals on two occasions, indicating he is poised for another strong showing in upcoming competitions.
