The 21 year old Israeli tennis player Shahar Peer was denied a visa by the United Arab Emirates for the reason of fear from fan anger over Israel's recent military offensive in the Gaza Strip would spill into riots if Peer were to play. Due to this decision the organizers of the Dubai Tennis Championships were fined by the Women's Tennis Association a record of $300,00. But part of the fine will go to Peer and doubles partner Anna-Lena Groenefeld of Germany to make up for the prize they could have won from the tournament amounting to $2 million.Peer only received $44,250 and 130 WTA points the same points she earned the same week last year. While partner Groenefeld got $7,950, while the rest of fine will go to a charity.
Following this event last year's Dubai Tennis Championships men's champion Andy Roddick decided not to defend his title and dropped out from the tournament.
Roddick was quoted in an interview in a tournament in Memphis Tennessee saying;
"I really didn't agree with what went on over there. I don't know if it's the best thing to mix politics and sports, and that was probably a big part of it. It's just disappointing that reflects on a tournament that probably didn't have much to do with the decision. Nevertheless, I just don't feel like there's a need for that in a sporting event. I don't think you make political statements through sports."
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February 25, 2009 at 3:57 AM
That is not right to do that. They cant stop somebody from doing something because of their race. That is called racial profiling. I see it a lot here in the USA. I hope you are having a good week my friend.