Former world number one Amelie Mauresmo led a chorus of condemnation after Israel’s Shahar Peer was controversially denied a visa to take part in the two-million-dollar WTA tournament in Dubai.
Peer, the world number 48, was told she was not welcome in the UAE, despite having played in the Qatar Open in neighbouring Doha in 2008, a move considered both a sporting and diplomatic success.
But the change in relations between Israel and Arab states, following the recent Gaza conflict, led to the door being slammed shut in the face of the Jersualem-born, 21-year-old Peer, the only Israeli player in the top 100. “It’s not acceptable,” said Mauresmo after clinching the Paris Open title on Sunday.
“I think sport should be above issues like that to do with religion and wars and whatever. I’m surprised.” Russia’s Olympic champion Elena Dementieva, the runner-up to Mauresmo in Paris, said she had great sympathy for Peer.
“I feel very sorry for her. She’s a very good girl and very sensitive. I played her in Auckland and there was some kind of demonstration during the match,” commented Dementieva. “I just feel sad for her. She really cares about what’s going on between Israel and Palestine and it’s just a very tough situation. I think the tour takes it seriously and I wish she could play in Dubai.” Peer faced protests over Israel’s military offensive in Gaza at the Auckland tournament in January with a group of around 20 people demanding she withdraw from the event.
Her last outing on the tour was on Saturday where she was beaten 6-1 6-4 by number one seed Vera Zvonereva of Russia in the semifinals of the Pattaya Open in Thailand. French Open champion Ana Ivanovic, the former world number one from Serbia, said she was saddened by the episode. “It’s very unfortunate, I feel very sorry for her.
Shahar is a friend of mine and I feel sorry she’s not here,” said Ivanovic who is in Dubai.
“It’s always a pity to mix politics and sport. But the WTA is looking into it,” she said.
