Why didn’t Roddick defend Dubai title in 2009?

Question

Andy Roddick won the singles title in Dubai in 2008, but didn’t return to defend it in 2009. Why not?

Answer 1

Roddick did not return to defend his title in 2009 in protest at the United Arab Emirates’ refusal to grant entry to Israel’s Shahar Peer to play in the women’s tournament that year. Peer played in 2010, amid heightened security for her matches, and reached the semi-finals.