What the players said about Shahar Peer UAE ban

Dinara Safina: "It's pretty disappointing she's not playing here. She's a great player and a great athlete. I hope she will have many more chances. I think the WTA is doing its best for them."

Amelie Mauresmo: "It's not acceptable. I think sport should be above issues like that to do with religion and wars and whatever. I'm surprised."

Elena Dementieva: "I feel very sorry for her. She's a very good girl and very sensitive. I played her in Auckland and there was some kind of demonstration during the match. I just feel sad for her. She really cares about what's going on between Israel and Palestine and it's just a very tough situation. I think the tour takes it seriously and I wish she could play in Dubai."

Venus Williams: “All the players support Shahar. We are all athletes, and we stand for tennis.”

Ana Ivanovic: "It's very unfortunate, I feel very sorry for her. Shahar is a friend of mine and I feel sorry she's not here. It's always a pity to mix politics and sport. But the WTA is looking into it."

(Images via sports.sina.cn)

Rendy Lu Yen-Hsun is back as Asia's top-ranked ATP player

Rendy Lu has improved his ATP ranking again to no. 57 and overtakes Kei Nishikori as Asia's no. 1 ATP player.

Too bad for Kei, he becomes the biggest mover this week as his ranking dropped from no. 56 to 90!

In the meanwhile, here are some updates about Rendy.

He was at the SAP Open last week.

Although he did not play due to a knee injury, he was invited by the tournament director to attend several functions including an autograph session and meet the fans, participated in Kids' Day and spent the evening with fans (dinner and tennis matches).

Rendy will be playing in Memphis facing Mardy Fish in the first round. Kei will also be making his first appearance here.

Good luck to the both of them!

(Images via SAP Open website, Rendy Lu's official website)

Rafael Nadal: It's not the knee, so no worry!

Rafael Nadal who received treatment on his right leg during yesterday's final of the ABN Amro, which he lost to Andy Murray, said the problem it's not with his knee.

"It's not the knee, so there's no worry about that," Nadal said.

"I'm sure I will recover quickly. It's nothing similar to last year. It's a lot less worrisome, let's hope."

Hence, Nadal will skip the next ATP tourney in Dubai, but he should be back in time to play for Spain in the Davis Cup next month.

Angel Ruiz-Cotorro, the Spain team doctor, said Nadal had strained a ligament below the knee against Murray but that the injury was not severe and that he should recover quickly.

"The injury is a result of a combination of things, from fatigue to the change of playing surface," Ruiz-Cotorro said.

In the meanwhile, Nadal is back in Madrid today signing an agreement with an insurance company, Mapfre. Princess Elena of Spain also present at the sponsor event.

(Via The Canadian Press; Images via Rafael Nadal official website)

Ana Ivanovic is lack of love

Ana doesn't look good in this latest picture from Dubai, isn't she?

The acne caused by hormonal imbalance could only mean one thing (or two)... Ana is single and she needs lotsa love :D

(Image via tennisforum.com)