Cya next year in Dubai

The action going on at this year's edition of the tournament in Dubai were overshadowed with the Shahar Peer scandal. The Israeli was denied a visa, what stopped her from playing in the United Arab Emirates (more on the visa denial HERE). Now the tournament will get to feel the consequences of not seeing to get a Visa for the Israeli.


WTA Chairman and Chief executive, Larry Scott, has announced earlier in the week, that the orginzers of the Dubai tournament will be punished for that incident. A list of sanctions has been publicized today, that has to fullfilled, if the the Barcley's Dubai Tennis Championships want to hold the event next year.

1. The tourney has to pay $300,000 retribution
2. From next year on Israeli players have to recieve their visas 8 weeks in advance.
3. If Peers ranking doesn't allow her to play her next year, the organizers are obligated to grant her a wildcard for the event
4. Peer will be awarded $44,250 for missing out on this weeks prize money
5. Peers scheduled doubles partner, Anna Lena Groenefeld, will be awarded $7,950 for missing out on this weeks prize money

The WTA also allowed Shahar to keep the 130 ranking points, she couldn't defend this week, for another year.

A WTA release says that this finnacial penalty "represents the highest fine ever levied against a Tour member"

Well now - the money costs must be a piece of cake for UAE, as they surely must feel like they got away with murder...

~jachal