Iranian tennis player savours refuge from war at 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya

Meshkatolzahra Safi became the first Iranian to win a Grand Slam junior singles match at the Australian Open in 2022. | Photo Credit: Getty Images

Competing against the backdrop of war and hamstrung by budget constraints, Iran’s tennis team marked small but significant victories at the Asian Games on Sunday as both their women’s players won their opening singles matches.

Meshkatolzahra Safi crushed Tajikistan’s Shakhzoda Asimova 6-0, 6-1, while Mandegar Farzami advanced alongside her with a 7-5, 6-3 win over Uzbekistan’s Sevil Yuldasheva.

The 22-year-old Safi, who became the first Iranian to win a Grand Slam junior singles match at the Australian Open in 2022 and once held a top-100 junior ranking, has struggled to build momentum as a professional amid limited funding to travel and compete.

Seven months of war between the United States and Iran have intensified those challenges, but Safi said tennis offers a crucial escape from the anxiety of the conflict.

“Tennis is a real release because the situation is so bad,” she said in Nagoya. Even a couple of months ago you could hear the sounds of bombs close by. I should be able to concentrate on tennis. No other players have to think about this.”

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The four-member Iranian tennis squad reached Nagoya with support from the country’s Olympic committee and tennis federation and have been working under French-Iranian former WTA title-winner Aravane Rezai, hired as coach for the Games.

While some athletes at the tournament have complained about organisation, including accommodation and transport issues, Safi had no such grievances.

“To compete in a tournament like this is a dream for us,” she said. It felt amazing. I was watching all the people watching me and the conditions here are so great. It’s so well-organised, the courts, everything is amazing. I can show what I’m made of.”