Roddick Withdraws from Dubai

[Quiet Speed]

Andy Roddick is not to keen on mixing politics and sports, so he takes a stand and pulls out of the Dubai Tennis Championships. He disagreed with United Arab Emirates denying a visa to Israeli player Shahar Peer for the prior week's women's tournament. The UAE had decided to granted a visa to Israeli Andy Ram for this week's upcoming tourney. I don't want to be to rough on Roddick. I will just say he has always struck me as someone who is aware of and schooled in the benefits of being politically correct and is very, very shrewd in that department.

Roddick reaches semis in Memphis; pulls out of Dubai

Relevant Paragraph:

Additionally, Roddick has pulled out of the event next week in Dubai, a tournament he won last season. A main reason Roddick cited is the decision by the United Arab Emirates to deny WTA player Shahar Peer, an Israeli, a visa to play in the women's tournament this week.

 

[j41181]

Does this action make him a patriot or what?

 

[guest301]

Good for Roddick. There is no good reason why Peer and Ram should not be allowed to play in the tournament.

 

[Don Wassall]

I agree. It's an unfortunate precedent and very unfair to Peer and Ram.

 

[j41181]

Roddick was never my favorite player to begin with, but I sure am impressed by the way he stood up for those two (Peer and Ram). Good show Andy!

 

[Quiet Speed]

I was going to ask if someone knew if the tournament had anything to do with the denial of the visa or if the United Arab Emirates was solely responsible. I found an article which sheds a little light. I am not sure if it fully answers the question. The article also brings up the unfairness issue for players. The source of the article is gulfnews.com which might explain its quoting people that other media may not.

Dubai studies response to WTA penalty Edited by: Quiet Speed

 

[Don Wassall]

Andy Roddick won his 30th career title yesterday at the Regions Morgan Keegan Championships in Memphis, beating the young Canadian Milos Raonic. He became the 8th American with at least 30 career titles. He needs four more to pass Arthur Ashe for 7th.

I've never considered myself a Roddick fan and he's had a disappointing career overall considering he won a Grand Slam event eight years ago but never added to it, but he's still way better than any other American men players over the past decade, so he deserves a salute for his 30th win.

And here's how he won yesterday on match point:

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[Van_Slyke_CF]

What a great effort! I hope Roddick can win that elusive 2nd Grand Slam title this year.

 

[guest301]

Nice effort by Andy but I see why he wears a cap all the time now. I hadn't noticed that bald spot before, it must be a new development. That's exactly why I wear a cap most of the time.