Shahar Pe’er and the Dubai controversy
Although the world of sports has always made an effort to do away with controversy and prejudice, the fact remains that any sport is a forum on which, several conflicting countries will no doubt have representatives.
Athletes are often subjected to both verbal and physical assault, and their concentration is often marred by these unfortunate occurrences. One such tennis player is Women’s Tennis Association [WTA] pro Shahar Pe’er, from Israel.
Pe’er is a 23 year old professional tennis player, currently ranked World Number 11. She is the first Israeli to receive such a high ranking.
Shahar Pe’er’s best result at a Grand Slam singles tournament was her appearance at the quarterfinals of the 2007 Australian Open as well as the US Open of the same year. She also reached the 2008 Australian Open doubles title match with Belarusian partner
Victoria Azarenka.
The Dubai Controversy involving Shahar Pe’er took place in February 2009, when the United Arab Emirates denied her a visa. She was therefore unable to take part in the Dubai Tennis Championships due to UAE’s lack of diplomatic relations with Israel.
Salah Tahlak, tournament director, claimed that Pe’er was denied a visa because her appearance at the tournament could cause the same protests, which had taken place at the ASB Classic, during the 2008-2009 Israel-Gaza conflict.
This decision caused a massive uproar, and many players including former World Number 1 Venus Williams condemned the rejection publicly. The matter reached Larry Scott, chief of the WTA, who claims to have considered cancelling the tournament before he consulted
Pe’er, who advised him against this.
However, the WTA still said it would be forced to review future tournaments in Dubai.
Due to the visa rejection, Tennis Channel refused to broadcast the Dubai Tennis Championships. The Wall Street Journal decided to drop its sponsorship.
Andy Roddick, who would have defended his title along with over two million dollars worth of prize money, also opted out of the event. When asked about it, he said, “I really didn’t agree with what went on over there”.
As a consequence of the 2009 controversy, Pe’er was granted a visa to Dubai in 2010 for the tournament.
However, this decision was accompanied by a great deal of restrictions. Pe’er was forbidden to talk to other players outside matches. She was made to exercise in a different gym and was under strict supervision from the hotel to the court. Even more taxingly,
the tournament was held at the same time as Dubai authorities investigated the murder of Mahmoud Al-Mabhouh, a Hamas operative, whose assassination was blamed on Israeli agents.
Shahar Pe’er has been praised greatly for her considerable fortitude and resolve, and her composure during the tournament did not go unnoticed.
Venus Williams was particularly appreciative of the tennis pro, saying, “I can’t imagine playing so well with these kinds of circumstances. I just have to give her congratulations and props. She's courageous. I don’t think anyone else on the WTA Tour could
do what she's doing”.
While she may not have won any major trophies, Pe’er’s dignity and grace in the face of pressure make her just as much as a champion as any other player.
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