Tennis-Wimbledon-Israel's Peer puts Dubai fiasco behind her

By Kylie MacLellan

LONDON, June 27 (Reuters) - Israeli Shahar Peer has put the upset and anger of being excluded from the Dubai Championships in February behind her and would be happy to take part in the tournament next year, she said on Saturday.

The world number 55 had to forfeit her place in Dubai after the United Arab Emirates, which has no diplomatic ties with Israel, denied her entry to the country -- a decision which prompted widespread criticism from players and officials.

"You cannot be upset for so many months," she told Reuters after her second round doubles defeat at Wimbledon on Saturday.

"I feel OK," she added. "I'm really happy it is behind me."

The refusal to issue a visa to Peer violated WTA Tour rules, which state any player should be able to compete where she wishes if she has the required ranking, and resulted in a record $300,000 fine for the Dubai Championships.

Five days after Peer had been excluded from competing at the event, compatriot Andy Ram was given "special permission" by UAE authorities to play in the men's equivalent the following week.

"I'm really happy about the result of it," 22-year-old Peer said of the eventual outcome. "I hope to be there next year."

Peer, who went out in the fourth round at Indian Wells after making her belated return to the court a month later, said her game had suffered as a result of the fiasco.