Medvedev & Rublev Stranded in Dubai, Forced Out of Eisenhower Cup

Last-Minute Shakeup at Eisenhower Cup as Medvedev and Rublev Withdraw, Replaced by Bublik and Tien

© AFP

Adrien Guyot

le 03/03/2026 à 15h00

2 min to read

Andreeva Mirra Anisimova Amanda Bublik Alexander Indian Wells Medvedev Daniil Rublev Andrey Tien Learner

This Tuesday, March 3, marks the Eisenhower Cup, an exhibition mixed doubles tournament featuring sixteen of the top ATP and WTA players on Stadium 2 at Indian Wells.

Eight pairs will compete, playing 10-point super tie-breaks to win the title. The participant lineup had been confirmed in mid-February. Defending champions Elena Rybakina and Taylor Fritz will aim to retain their crown.

However, just hours before the event, major changes have impacted the tournament. Daniil Medvedev and Andrey Rublev, initially entered, will not be able to participate in this 2026 edition.

Still stranded in Dubai amid a tense geopolitical context between Iran and some Middle Eastern countries, the two Russian players will obviously not be able to take the court in California in the coming hours.

Tien and Bublik Replace Medvedev and Rublev at the Eisenhower Cup

On its X account (formerly Twitter), the Indian Wells tournament confirmed that two players will change partners at the last minute. Mirra Andreeva, who was originally set to partner with Medvedev, will now play alongside Alexander Bublik.

Meanwhile, Amanda Anisimova, who was scheduled to play with Andrey Rublev, will form an all-American duo as she teams up with Learner Tien. Both seeded players, Medvedev and Rublev have not given up hope and aim to be present in the California desert before their singles second-round matches.

The main draw for the Indian Wells Masters 1000 took place overnight from Monday to Tuesday and determined the first opponents for the two players. Medvedev will face Alejandro Tabilo or Rafael Jodar, while Rublev will be up against Gabriel Diallo or Mattia Bellucci.