Medvedev reaches Indian Wells after Hollywood Movie Journey
Getting to BNP Paribas Open was anything but straightforward for Daniil Medvedev.
The former world No. 1 revealed he was stranded in Dubai following the closure of airspace amid the escalating conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran. With flights disrupted, Medvedev, his family and team were unable to leave the UAE for several days.
Eventually, the Russian found a way out through an unusual route.
He travelled by car to Muscat in Oman, spent the night there, flew to Istanbul and then boarded another flight to Los Angeles before finally reaching Indian Wells.
“We arrived in Oman by car. Someone was lucky to get there in four hours and 30 minutes, someone drove for seven hours, we drove for seven hours,” Medvedev explained.
“Our driver couldn’t find his passport. We were the only ones who crossed the border, turned around and came back to the UAE. He found his passport in the parking lot and we drove to Oman. Stayed there for a night, the next day we flew to Istanbul, spent the night in a hotel and flew to Los Angeles.”
Looking back on the chaotic journey, Medvedev compared the experience to a film.
“If you tell the path in all the details then of course it’s unusual. You feel like you’re in a Hollywood movie: crossing the border with other people, visiting Oman for the first time.”
Despite the unexpected travel drama, Medvedev has now safely arrived in California and will begin his campaign at Indian Wells as the tournament’s No. 11 seed.
