[tomspoumn]

Well, the WTA solved the illegal coaching from the stands by introducing on-court coaching. I am quite sure the gutless wonders will come up with some lame justification for not enforcing their own rules on this occasion as well.

[anderriter]

When I'm deeply disappointed at something there's an immediate consequence laid on whom/whatever I am disappointed in. This is a perfect opportunity for the players union to show their balls by absolutely refusing to allow any player to go to Dubai unless they all can go. Now I'm no Zionist by any means and generally think Israel and their "promised land' excuse for terrorizing Palestinians for the last 60 years is load of crap, but this has nothing to do with that. I've lost some respect for the WTA as whole, players and management. These players need to step up and show some moral conscience. I doubt they will though as most cant speak for themselves without their coaches/parents/agents/managers guidance. assholes.

Co-sign. Even if not all, I wish at least some high-profile players withdrew.

[aLZ9zKsO]

“All the players support Shahar. We are all athletes and we stand for tennis,” said Venus Williams. “The players have to be unified and support the Tour whichever direction they take on the issue.”


Ana Ivanovic said: “I really don’t like sports to be mixed with politics.”

[anderriter]

“All the players support Shahar. We are all athletes and we stand for tennis,” said Venus Williams. “The players have to be unified and support the Tour whichever direction they take on the issue.”


Ana Ivanovic said: “I really don’t like sports to be mixed with politics.”

Only when it does not affect you And I am sorry, but the Venus statement is equally eye-roll-worthy.

[anderriter]

Some more statements:

PARIS (AFP) — 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 semi-finals 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."

Dinara Safina, the world number two from Russia, said she believed the WTA would help her out.

"It's pretty disappointing she's not playing here. She's a great player and a great athlete. I hope she will have many more chances. I think the WTA is doing its best for them." http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp..._y7TI27vuO-P2g

[Assunkkensatt]

Only when it does not affect you And I am sorry, but the Venus statement is equally eye-roll-worthy.

I agree, she's saying they support Shahar and they still support the Tour whatever decision they take on this issue.

WTH, Venus?!

Foxy

[Evoryboypoto]

Only when it does not affect you And I am sorry, but the Venus statement is equally eye-roll-worthy.

I agree, she's saying they support Shahar and they still support the Tour whatever decision they take on this issue.

WTH, Venus?!

Sometimes it's not so easy to speak out against your federation/governing body. I'm sorry to see all the players (excepting possibly Amelie) falling into the WTA's line, but I understand it.

[freddystone]

I agree, she's saying they support Shahar and they still support the Tour whatever decision they take on this issue.

WTH, Venus?!

Foxy

It's not like Venus to take such a CYA approach. The two statements are mutually exclusive, no? Or perhaps five sentences between the two were cut out by the writer. I don't know. It looks silly, though.

[Penisvergroesserung]

As much as I adore the Williams sisters, there's something they have felt very strongly about regarding IW that has a vaguely familiar feeling to this situation. What's good for the goose is good for the gander.

[anderriter]

I found some more from Venus and also from Sveta.

Seven-times grand slam champion Venus Williams said the players were behind Peer.

"I think the tournament would like to have Shahar Peer here if it was their choice," she added.

Russian world No 7 Svetlana Kuznetsova added: "There has been so much effort by other players to come here I don't think it would be the right decision to cancel it for today, but maybe next time they should do something.

"I think the Tour is going to find the solution." http://www.stuff.co.nz/4849213a1823.html