Pe'er will be the first Israeli tennis player to take part in a tournament in a Gulf State.
By ALLON SINAIpeer 224 88(photo credit: )
Shahar Pe'er's historic appearance in Qatar will begin with a first round match against world No. 23 Francesca Schiavone.
Pe'er (17), who will be the first Israeli tennis player to take part in a tournament in a Gulf State, was drawn on Saturday to face the Italian in the $2,500,000 Qatar Open which begins on Monday.
"We were welcomed very nicely and driven directly to the hotel," Pe'er said on Friday. "I have a bodyguard watching over me and the Israelis living here are in constant contact with us.
"I've enjoyed my time here so far and I'm always happy to travel to a new place. I'm happy that I've got a chance to see a special country which many Israelis have never been to," the 20-year-old added.