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After withdrawal of Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Nikolay Davydenko and Fernando Verdasco, one more player decided not to play in Dubai. Andy Roddick won't defend his title there next week because he doesn't agree with the United Arab Emirates' decision to deny Israeli Shahar Peer a visa to play in a women's tournament.
"There were a lot of factors why I should probably go, and obviously having played well there doesn't make it any easier," said Andy.
Roddick said he has enjoyed himself when visiting the UAE but was disappointed to see the government make a decision that reflects poorly on a great tournament.
“I really didn’t agree with what went on over there. I don’t know if it’s the best thing to mix politics and sports, and that was probably a big part of it,” Roddick said.
On the other hand, tournament sponsors Dubai Duty Free said none of the withdrawals appeared to be a result of the recent furore over the refusal to grant Israeli Shahar Peer entry to the United Arab Emirates for the women's championships.
"They have all seemed to have legitimate injuries," Colm McLoughlin, the managing director of Dubai Duty Free, told reporters on Saturday.
"I have no concerns. We have heard that Roddick was on the start of a hernia. I didn't hear any other reports."
How sad...there is really no place to politics in sport.
(photo/AP Photo/Andrew Brownbill)
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hmmmmm.... by withdrawing, it seems to me like Roddick is mixing politics with sports! It's kindof an oxymoron....
I think he's just supporting other athlete that was the victim of mixing politics with sport. It's very complicated situation, I personally think that all players should boycot this tournament.