Malek Jaziri
By JMA Staff
Tennis: Malek Jaziri was asked to withdraw before his match against Amir Weintraub
Tennis: Tunisia’s Malek Jaziri has given a walkover against Israel’s Amir Weinstraub, as he was asked to do by the Tunisian Tennis Federation. The news was confirmed by Tunisia’s state agency.
Malek Jaziri was drawn to play Amir Weintraub in the Quarterfinal of ATP Challenger Tennis tournament in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. But he was sent an email by his country’s federation, which barred him from playing.
Amir Weintraub
Tunisia’s state news agency says the national federation sent an email to Jaziri that stated “you are ordered not to play against the Israeli player.”
Jaziri was really in an impossible situation. It’s very tough to blame him here. Not only does he need the Tunisian Tennis Federation for monetary support, but he also does not want to commit an act that is considered treasonous by his country. In 2007, for example, a Bahraini marathoner was actually stripped of his citizenship for competing in a marathon in Israel. Even if Jaziri could afford to ignore orders from his federation, the repercussions could be more than just monetary.
It is not the first time either. Let’s go back to 2013. In the Tashkent Challenger, Jaziri was set to play Israeli Amir Weintraub again, in the quarterfinals. Jaziri and Weintraub are reportedly friends who have played in juniors and play together in the same club during offseasons. However, about 15 minutes before this match was to take place, Jaziri suddenly withdrew. He was ordered by the Tunisian Tennis Federation to not compete against an Israeli.
Muslim players have refused to play their Israeli opponents in many sports in the past. The most famous case was probably Arash Miresmaili in the 2004 Summer Olympics, who was favored to win the Gold Medal but drew an Israeli in the first round. He came in overweight and was disqualified, making comments indicating that he intentionally ate too much to disqualify himself from competition.
In 2006, the Indonesian Fed Cup team refused to compete in a Group II tie against Israel, and an Iranian withdrew from a Futures match to avoid facing Tomer Hodorov in 2009. Tunisian woman Ons Jabeur was up a set and a break on Magda Linette in Baku in 2013 but retired because she would have to face Israeli Shahar Peer in the next round if she won.
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