Israeli tennis star gets visa to play in Dubai

Shahar Peer

Roads have been cleared for the Israeli tennis player Shahar Peer to participate in the Barclays Dubai Tennis Championships as the authorities in Dubai are ready to give her visa. Shahar’s father and manager, Dov Peer too accepted the place adding that Peer will play the tournament being a professional player.

Peer, the World No. 22, was earlier denied entry into the Gulf Nation following Israel’s military offensive in Gaza in January. Authorities, organizing the event, had feared that presence of Israeli player could create law and order problem in the region besides creating risk for other players. The Women’s Tennis Association (WTA), on the other hand, took a serious notice of the incident slapping fine of $300,000 on Dubai.

Peer, the first Israeli to compete in a professional women’s tennis event in a Gulf State, can now join champion Venus Williams in the tournament. Expressing shock over past incident in which the player was declined visa, Salah Tahlak, the tournament Director added, “There is no question that what happened last year was unfortunate on many fronts.”