Peer positive about Dubai experience as run ends
Defending champion Venus Williams has defeated Shahar Peer 6-1, 6-4 in the Dubai semifinals, ending Peer's unseeded run.
The match was played on Court 2 instead of the stadium because of security concerns surrounding Peer's presence as an Israeli. The 22-year-old was surrounded by a phalanx of guards during her stay, given sealed-off areas at the tournament site and hotel and played all her match on outside courts with heavy security measures in place.
"Different but nice," was how Peer summed up her week, having become the first Israeli woman to play in Dubai after being denied a visa to take part in the event last year.
"My position was not easy, but I feel this week was very important," she added. "Everyone treated me well here, I have become friends with the people from Dubai. They all tried to make me feel as good as possible. "I am sure I will remember this tournament for the rest of my life.
"Unfortunately I couldn't manage to win it, which will be my dream. But there will be no complaints, I achieved a lot in this tournament, professionally and mentally and for myself.
"Different but nice," was how Peer summed up her week, having become the first Israeli woman to play in Dubai after being denied a visa to take part in the event last year.
"My position was not easy, but I feel this week was very important," she added. "Everyone treated me well here, I have become friends with the people from Dubai. They all tried to make me feel as good as possible. "I am sure I will remember this tournament for the rest of my life.
"Unfortunately I couldn't manage to win it, which will be my dream. But there will be no complaints, I achieved a lot in this tournament, professionally and mentally and for myself.
"I am sure for Venus it was not ideal to come to Court 2 and I told her afterwards that I really appreciated her support... She understands, she has a good heart."
