MIAMI — Israeli tennis stars Shahar Peer and Andy Ram were cheered by Florida tennis fans watching them compete recently at the Sony Ericsson Open – and not just for their excellence on the court.

Both Israelis won support from fans, media, major Jewish organizations and tennis players after Peer was a victim of discrimination. In February, Peer was denied entry into the United Arab Emirates and banned from the Dubai women’s tennis tournament because she holds an Israeli passport.

Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) president Larry Scott fined the Dubai tournament $300,000 (all figures US), awarded Peer $44,250 as a result of the actions of the UAE, and she and other Israelis will be now accepted into future Dubai tournaments. Ram benefitted from the WTA ruling and international condemnation of the incident by being accepted into the men’s tournament on Feb. 20 as the first Israeli ever to compete in Dubai. Had Ram not been accepted into the tournament, the men’s Dubai tournament likely would had been boycotted by the men’s pro tennis circuit.

“I was very disappointed and angry too because I don’t think sports and politics should mix,” Peer said following her 6-1,7-6 at the Sony Ericsson Open victory over Tamaryn Hendler, a Jewish player from Belgium.

“I was happy with what was achieved and having so much support from around the world. It does not matter if a person is Jewish, Israeli, Muslim, black or white. Nobody will be discriminated against in sport in the future.”

“Shahar was stoic in taking the high road challenging an unjust policy and forcing the UAE to accept Israelis in the future,” Scott said. “The tennis tour will not tolerate discrimination of any kind in the future.”

Had the UAE not permitted Ram to play, tennis tournaments around the world, including the Rogers Cup. held annually in Toronto, may have been put at risk. Emirates airlines – the official sponsor of the Rogers Cup Toronto tournament, as well as other tournaments worldwide – would have been dropped as part of the sanctions against the UAE, which owns the carrier.

“They [the UAE] knew that there were morally wrong in denying Peer a visa, and we told them what would happen had they not reversed their actions immediately. Tennis Canada would not be allowed to have Emirates as one of their sponsors,” said Stacey Allaster, a past Rogers Cup Toronto tournament director who is now president of the WTA.

Despite Peer’s view of “sports not mixing with politics,” Swedish tennis officials in Malmo barred spectators from watching the Davis Cup tie between Sweden and Israel, held March 6 to 8, fearing security would not be able to handle anti-Israel protesters.

“It was disgusting to see the anti-Israel sentiment as our team went to the arena in Malmo. I have never personally seen hate until we were in Malmo,” said Ram, one of four members of the Israeli team.

Trailing 2-1, Israeli Davis Cup players Dudi Sela and Harel Levy rallied with two five-set victories to emerge victorious, winning the tie 3-2 and leading Israeli to host the Davis Cup quarter-finals, versus Russia, for the first time since 1988.

“It was a wonderful moment of feeling such pride in what we accomplished. Not having spectators really hurt the Swedish team who could not rally behind their fans. But all of us would have preferred for the matches to have fans and not played behind closed doors,” Ram said.

On April 2, the Intentional Tennis Federation fined the Swedish Tennis Federation $25,000 and the city of Malmo was barred from hosting any Davis Cup matches for five years.

“Peer, Ram and the other Israeli tennis players are outstanding athletes and leaders. They will always be praised and remembered for their courage against unjust acts,” said Andrew Rosenkrantz, Florida director of the Anti-Defamation League. He was speaking at a reception at Miami’s Beth David Congregation for Israeli and Jewish tennis players competing at the Sony Ericsson Open.

Peer and Ram have played well since the Dubai and Malmo incidents. Peer finished as doubles finalist in the Indian Wells tournament in March, as did Ram at the same event. Ram continued his outstanding run by winning the Sony Ericsson Open men’s doubles championship, marking the first time an Israeli has won the doubles title in the 25-year history of the tournament.

Teamed with Max Mirnyi of Belarus, Ram triumphed over five opponents, including a dramatic come-from-behind 6-7 (4-7), 6-2, (10-7) victory over Australians Ashley Fisher and Stephen Huss in the final on April 5. A jubilant Ram waved the Israeli flag and thanked his many fans at the podium following his victory, with many fans also waving Israeli flags during his matches.

“It’s nice to know I made history again for Israel, making headlines there. I’m very patriotic. I feel really proud when I get a big result like today. Playing with Max made it easier to win the tournament. I hope from now on we [Israelis] make headlines for what we do on the court, not off,” said Ram.

Barring injuries, Peer and Ram are expected to compete at the Rogers Cup women’s and men’s tournaments this summer in Toronto and Montreal respectively. For further information, visit www.rogerscup.com.