Comments on: Venus, Serena Dropped the Ball with Shahar Pe’er in Dubai

By: HoneyBee

HoneyBee — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 16:20:51 +0000

The one thing I notice that nobody has mentioned about the Dubai tournament is that Andy Ram didn’t give up his opportunity to play in support of fellow-Jew Shahar Peer. When it became clear that he would be allowed to play, play he did. So if he didn’t pull out of the tournament in support of Peer, why should it be Venus and Serena’s responsibility to take on the issue? Why not Dementieva or Jankovic? They’re famous in their own right. And what about Peer’s friends on tour? Why didn’t they withdraw? It’s amazing the number of excuses people find to be angry with the W illiams Sisters. Andy Roddick chose not to play. If it was truly because of Peer, that’s lovely of him, but maybe it was also a convenient out because he was injured and needed that break. I like Roddick, but I’m just saying. In the end, Venus made a lovely and thoughtful speech on Peer’s behalf during the trophy presentation. I thought she did a brave thing.

By: marielle bingham

marielle bingham — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 09:32:00 +0000

You make a good point, ibm. What Roddick did was wonderful, but by playing and winning, Venus Williams had a marvelous opportunity to literally speak directly to the world about the treatment of Peer. And Venus did not disappoint. In addition to thanking the fans and sponsors, Venus seized that opportunity in that high-profile platform, to state clearly for all the world that Peer should have been welcome to compete. Venus was eloquent on behalf of her sometime competitor. Just as she ( Venus )was eloquent in writing that wonderful open letter to the largest newspaper in England and changing history. Because of Venus, female tennis players now get equal money with male players at Wimbledon and at The French Open. Good job, Venus! And thanks again for standing up for Peer!

By: ibm

ibm — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 20:45:39 +0000

Venus actually showed more class than Roddick by showing up. In civil rights struggles, you never sit in the back of the bus. Shahar Peer was actually adamant that the other players do not boycott. She herself, stated that she is looking forward to playing next year.

By: JS

JS — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 04:09:11 +0000

Gene – the Williams sisters live for flimsy excuses. Have they ever lost a match, other than to each other, when they didn’t have a flimsy excuse for losing?

Maybe they would have boycotted if it were a black Israeli who was denied a visa.

Yes, kudos to Roddick who showed some gumption and class.

By: Gene

Gene — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 02:10:40 +0000

Three cheers for Andy Roddick, the defending champion at Dubai. He notified the tournament that he will not be defending his title because of the treatment of Peer. Roddick gave up a lot to take this stand. With Nadal and Federer injured, Andy had a royal chance to repeat, since he has been playing very well.

Obviously, if Roddick could boycott the tournament, then the Williams sisters’ excuses look even more flimsy.

By: SpinMax

SpinMax — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 15:35:07 +0000

You’re right, they should have walked. They have the financial resources to take such a stand.