Dubai event in doubt as Andy Ram awaits news

The totally disinterested look on the face of the vanquished Dinara Safina was hardly the perfect illustration for the competitive element on view but the ongoing political situation at the Barclays Dubai Tennis Championships is proof there is far more to tennis than hitting fluffy yellow balls back and forth.
The very future of this tournament may be hanging in the balance following the decision by the United Arab Emirates Government to deny Shahar Peer, of Israel, an entry visa to contest this week’s women’s event. Political negotiations are ongoing as her countryman Andy Ram, one of the world’s top doubles players, awaits news of whether he can contest next week’s men’s event.
Dubai has long been regarded as one of the most forward thinking events on the world tour. In the 17 years of competition at the Aviation Club, the tournament has led the way as the Arabian Gulf has become one of the true bastions of world tennis. Nine years ago, a WTA event was added, and now the tournament features almost every top 10-ranked player, both men and women. Last year more than 125,000 people attended.
Indeed, the current site is now becoming too small for such a prestigious gathering of talent, and plans are under way to move to a new location. "We are in discussions with the authorities at the Dubai Sports City for hosting the tournament there," said Colm McLoughlin, Managing Director of Dubai Duty Free, owners and organizers of the $4 million event. But the events of the past few days have thrown everything in doubt.
Larry Scott, chief executive of the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour, insists debate will be thorough on whether to continue with the event in forthcoming years. Pessimists are even speculating that next week’s ATP event, set to include Roger Federer, Andy Murray, Novak Djokovic and, if fit enough, world No 1 Rafael Nadal, will not take place if Ram is treated the same as Peer.
Justin Gimelstob, an ATP board member, was one of many who looked on in dismay as the WTA simply shook their heads, voiced their disappointment and told the rest of their players to get on with the tournament.
Gimelstob was adamant the ATP would be firm in their support of Ram and said: "We are very disappointed to hear about the decision with Shahar Peer and we are looking at it and are very concerned."
"We believe very strongly that players of all religions, ethnicities and nationalities be allowed to play. We discussed that with Dubai and are adamant all players get access to the tournament.
"If Andy Ram were not to get his visa that would be very troubling. It's a clear-cut rule that everyone should be allowed to play tour events. We are on top of it and are trying to sort out the information."
There are of course two sides to every story. While Francisco Ricci Bitti, the International Tennis Federation's president, reminded the UAE politicians that sport should not be used as a political tool but rather as a unifying force, tournament officials maintain they took the decision over Peer.
Feelings understandably remain very high among the Arabic residents of Dubai after the three-week Israeli offensive in Gaza, which killed 1,300 Palestinians. Concerns were rife that local fans would have boycotted the event if Peer had played and she in turn would have been in danger.
"Public sentiment remains high in the Middle East and it is believed that Ms Peer's presence would have antagonised our fans who have watched live television coverage of recent attacks in Gaza," Salah Tahlak, the tournament director, said in an official statement. "Ms Peer personally witnessed protests against her at another tournament in New Zealand only a few weeks ago.
"Concern was raised about her well-being and her presence triggering similar protests. Given public sentiment, the entire tournament could have been boycotted by protesters.We do not wish to politicise sports, but we have to be sensitive to recent events in the region and not alienate or put at risk the players and the many tennis fans of different nationalities that we have here in the UAE."
Meanwhile Safina, completely humbled by Serena Williams in the Australian Open final two-and-a-half weeks ago, simply cocooned herself in her own world. Just when women’s tennis needed a boost to its credibility, the Russian, who has surged to second spot in the world rankings, produced a display perhaps even more indolent and inept than her display at Melbourne Park.
As Safina lost out 6-4,6-2 to Italy’s Flavia Penetta, she looked like somebody who simply didn’t want to be on the court. “It was a bad day,”she mumbled. “Probably worse than the Australian Open final. I don’t know why.”
Source:the times