The Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) has declined to comment prior to any decision by the UAE on Israels Andy Rams (2R) visa, although the mens tennis governing body is reported to have made it clear to the Arab federation of states that it must this week decide whether it wants to remain an international tennis venue. -AFP

DUBAI An even darker shadow hangs over the future of the Dubai Open following the news that Andy Ram, who won the Australian Open mens doubles last year with fellow Israeli Jonathan Erlich, is waiting to hear if his visa application for next weeks ATP mens event has been granted.

It seems unlikely it will be, given that Shahar Peer, another Israeli, was denied a visa for this weeks womens event.
That brought strongly worded statements of disapproval from the Womens Tennis Association (WTA) and fears that, after 17 years, the womens tournament might end.

The Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) has declined to comment prior to any decision by the UAE on Rams visa, although the mens tennis governing body is reported to have made it clear to the Arab federation of states that it must this week decide whether it wants to remain an international tennis venue.

The situation has deteriorated with remarkable speed given that the UAE has invested such huge amounts of money into tennis over many years, and if the WTA and the ATP pull out of Dubai it could have far reaching consequences for the countrys growing status as a major player in world sport.

The repercussions could be felt beyond tennis if competitors from other sports are refused entry to the country or sponsorship deals are reconsidered as a result of the ban.

At the moment Dubai hosts the Desert Classic golf, the World Cup horse racing, and the Rugby World Cup sevens.

The headquarters of the ICC, the international governing body of of cricket recently moved here from Lords cricket ground in London.

The immovable principle around which current tennis dialogues have revolved was outlined by Larry Scott, the chief executive of the WTA tour.

It is that the UAEs refusal to grant Peer a visa violated his associations ethos that all players should be treated equally everywhere.

`Its a fundamental principle, and fundamental to our credibility as a sporting organisation,` he said.

`We dont want it to be interpreted as complacency and as accepting what has happened, because its not,` Scott said, referring to the decision to go ahead with this weeks tournament.

`We will take a decision about what is to be done (next year) only after consultation with the players and tournament directors. We dont have a timetable on this yet. This is a shock and it has to be digested.`

Scott added that there had been a great deal of feedback from around the world and that it had `touched some nerves`. He added that `I want to take it all on board, all the impact and feedback.`

On the decision to go ahead this week, he said `Although Shahar was unfortunately not going to play, we decided to let the tournament continue after consultation with Peer and her family and the tournament and other stakeholders.

We had the view that one terrible situation was not going to be exacerbated by damage to every player, the sponsors, spectators and everyone else.`Scott also made it clear that he had known for some time that there might be problems.

`When I was in Dubai last year it became clear that there were issues,` he said.

`We made quite clear to them (UAE) that Peer must be allowed to play. So this is not an issue that has just cropped up. Its been in the radar screen and discussed, within the corridors and our leadership for a year.`

Despite that, Scott still claimed he was surprised by the UAEs decision.

`Yes, I am,` he said. `I knew there was an issue they would have to get over - that they dont have official relations with Israel. And there are security concerns as well.

`So I am not surprised there is an issue. In the last two months we have been in daily contact with them.

`But I am surprised by the decision they took, because of the significant ramifications there has been, not only in the world of professional tennis, but to the sporting agenda, and beyond sport.`In the meantime, because the ATP has a similar principle about player involvement - that the only criteria for acceptance or to a tournament can be by ranking - it is hard not to see a similar dialogue emerging.

Whether it has a similar, or a more immediately precipitous outcome, is another matter.