Dubai Update

In my previous post, I noted the unjust actions of the WTA event in Dubai, where Israeli women's tennis player, Shahar Peer was denied a visa to play.  There have been a few news updates on the situation:

The men's ATP event in Dubai is going on now, and defending champ, Andy Roddick, withdrew from the tournament because of the Peer situation.  Roddick didn't make a big deal about it, but his withdrawl was the right thing to do.  Way to go, Roddick!

The WTA levied a $300,000 fine against the Dubai tournament and required assurances that all players will be allowed to play next year.  They also gave Peer rankings points and a winnings share equal to her average performance last year.  A good, appropriate move on their part.  A number of WTA players, including winner Venus Williams, supported Peer verbally.

The women in the tournament were already in Dubai when Peer was denied entry, so they would have had to cover travel expenses, and stars would have forfeited performance fees.  Peer stated that, in spite of her unjust exclusion, the show should go on.  Good for her.  Though it still would have been a laudable gesture for at least one player to have withdrawn.

So there were some good responses to an ugly situation.  For that we can be thankful.