The WTA has confirmed that Israel's Shahar Peer will receive a visa to play in Dubai this year, report the Abu Dhabi National and the London Daily Telegraph.
"The Tour has received written confirmation from the UAE Ministry of Interior that she will be able to enter the UAE and participate in the event without incident," a WTA spokesperson was quoted as saying.
Dubai does not have diplomatic relations with Israel and Israeli citizens traditionally cannot enter the country, but WTA and ATP rules require tournaments to allow all eligible players to compete. A last-minute refusal to give Peer a visa last year prevented her from taking part in the Dubai event and generated international controversy. The tournament went ahead as scheduled, but subsequent WTA sanctions included a record fine for organizers as well as a guarantee that Peer would be allowed to compete the following year.
In the wake of the controversy, Israeli Andy Ram was given a "special entry permit" to play the men's event the following week.