Pe’er returns home to await word on Doha

Only the top eight players of the year are meant to play in Qatar, with two alternates to also travel.

By ALLON SINAI
Shahar Pe’er returned to Israel on Sunday morning still waiting to hear whether she will be invited to Doha for the prestigious seasonending WTA Championships.
Despite completing her schedule for 2010 following her loss in the semifinals in Osaka, Japan on Saturday, the 23-year-old Israeli, currently ranked at a career-high No. 13 in the world, could still see more action this year.
Only the top eight players of the year are meant to play in Qatar, with two alternates to also travel to Doha. However, both Venus Williams and Justine Henin have already announced that they will not play again this year, while Serena Williams has also said that she is likely out for the season.
If the younger Williams sister, or any other top-10 player for that matter, ultimately pulls out of the tournament in Doha, Pe’er is set to receive an invite to at least be one of the alternates in the $4,550,000 event, which begins October 26.
“This has been the best year of my career,” a beaming Pe’er said upon her arrival at Ben-Gurion Airport on Sunday morning. “I beat a lot of top-10 players and I improved my career-best ranking. I also think I’m a better player and a better person, so this has been an excellent year overall.”
Pe’er is hoping to receive a call-up to the WTA Championships, but is almost equally excited about finally going on a long overdue holiday.
“It doesn’t depend on me so I’m just waiting to hear if someone else retires from the tournament,” Pe’er said. “My biggest dream remains to win a Grand Slam, but obviously I also want to break into the top 10 and I think I’m on course to doing that.”