Relief as Ram handed UAE visa

 

Originally published on: 26/02/10 12:19

The ATP had been under pressure to ensure Ram could compete after his countrywoman Shahar Peer was prevented from playing in the women’s event this week.

ATP president and executive chairman Adam Helfant said: “I am pleased that the efforts to secure Andy Ram’s visa to compete in the ATP World Tour 500 event in Dubai next week have been successful.”

He added: “The United Arab Emirates government has made the right decision in allowing Andy Ram to enter their country and compete in next week’s Dubai Tennis Championships.

“No player who qualifies to play an ATP World Tour event should be denied their right to compete on the basis of ethnicity, nationality or religion and we are happy that the Dubai Tennis Championships and the UAE have shown that they share that view.”

Ram, 28, is one of the leading doubles players on the ATP Tour and won the Australian Open title last year.

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