Israel’s Shahar Peer denied visa for Dubai tennis
Israel’s Shahar Peer, ranked 48th in the world, was due to play today in the United Arab Emirates. [REUTERS]
Shahar Peer broke barriers last year in Qatar when she was the first Israeli woman to play in a WTA Tour tournament in the Gulf as the region tries to enhance its reputation as an international sports hub.
But the visa denial for the Dubai Tennis Championships could be a blow to the city’s efforts at fostering an image of full openness in business, sports and other high-profile events.
Peer, ranked 48th, was told Sunday that her visa was denied by the United Arab Emirates, said her brother and spokesman, Shlomi Peer.
She had been drawn to play 15th-seeded Anna Chakvetadze today, Korean time, in the first round of the joint ATP and WTA event, which includes all the top-10 ranked women’s players.
WTA chief executive Larry Scott said the tour was “deeply disappointed” by the decision.
“Ms. Peer has earned the right to play in the tournament and it’s regrettable that the UAE is denying her this right,” Scott said in a statement.
The UAE has no diplomatic relations with Israel, but Israelis have entered the country for international sporting and business events using second-country passports. On some occasions, Israeli passport holders have been allowed entry for meetings held by the United Nations or other international agencies.
It was not clear whether Peer was traveling on an Israeli passport. Emirates officials did not immediately respond for comment on the decision.
“All the players support Shahar,” said Venus Williams, who is in Dubai for the tournament. “We are all athletes and we stand for tennis. The players have to be unified and support the tour whichever direction they take on the issue.”
Added French Open champion Ana Ivanovic of Serbia: “I really don’t like sports to be mixed with politics.”
Peer’s brother said the 21-year-old player applied for a visa months in advance and was assured by tournament organizers that she would be allowed entry.
“Ms. Peer and her family are obviously extremely upset and disappointed by the decision of the UAE and its impact on her personally and professionally,” said the statement by Scott.
He said the tournament will open as scheduled on Sunday, but stressed that WTA tour officials will “review appropriate future actions with regard to the future of the Dubai tournament.”
The WTA “believes very strongly and has a clear rule and policy that no host country should deny a player the right to compete in a tournament for which she has qualified by ranking,” Scott said.
Peer had planned to travel to Dubai from Thailand, where she lost in the semifinal of the Pattaya Open to fifth-ranked Vera Zvonareva of Russia on Saturday. In Dubai, she was replaced in the draw by Japan’s Ayumi Morita.
Peer is expected to return to Israel. She could not be reached for comment.
Last month, Peer was the focus of protests in New Zealand over Israel’s recent three-week offensive in the Gaza Strip.
She was provided extra security at the ASB Classic tournament. AP
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
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