Tennis Star Andy Roddick Won’t Play in Dubai
The World Tennis Association has imposed a large fine on organizers of the Dubai tournament for excluding an Israeli player, and US tennis star Andy Roddick has announced he won’t play in the tournament.
The WTA yesterday fined Dubai Tennis Championships organizers a record $300,000 - more than double its previous high - after Israeli player Shahar Peer was denied a visa by the United Arab Emirates earlier this week.
The WTA also took steps to compensate Peer and ensure she and other Israeli players won’t be shut out of future tournaments in the federation. The UAE and Israel do not have diplomatic relations.
Also, U.S. star Andy Roddick said he wouldn’t defend his Dubai title next week. “I really didn’t agree with what went on over there. I don’t know if it’s the best thing to mix politics and sports, and that was probably a big part of it,” Roddick said.
(Hat tip: Gegenkritik.)
Frank says: