Protest won't stop Peer coming back

MICHAEL BRADLEY MICHAEL BRADLEY JOHN SELKIRK JOHN SELKIRK JOHN SELKIRK JOHN SELKIRK JOHN SELKIRK JOHN SELKIRK JOHN SELKIRK JOHN SELKIRK JOHN SELKIRK JOHN SELKIRK JOHN SELKIRK/Stuff.co.nz JOHN SELKIRK/Stuff.co.nz JOHN SELKIRK/Stuff.co.nz

Yanina Wickmayer celebrates winning the final of the ASB Classic in Auckland.

ASB Tennis winner Yanina Wickmayer in action during the final against Flavia Pennetta.

FINAL MOMENT: Despite her frustrations, Italian Flavia Pennetta was dominant in beating compatriot Francesca Schiavone in the ASB Classic semifinals.

POWER PLAY: Belgian Yanina Wickmayer overpowered Israel's Shahar Peer to reach the ASB Classic final in Auckland.

STRETCHING OUT: Israel's Shahar Peer stretches for a forehand return during her semifinal against Belgian Yanina Wickmayer.

Flavia Pennetta on her way to winning her semi final v Francesca Schiavone.

Italy's Francesca Schiavone on her way to her semi final loss to Italy's Flavia Pennetta.

Dominika Cibulkova of Slovakia during her lost quarter final to Flavia Pennetta.

Flavia Pennetta on her way to winning her quarter final against Dominika Cibulkova.

Shahar Peer of Israel in action against Magdalena Rybarikova.

Shahar Peer of Israel in action against Magdalena Rybarikova of Slovakia.

Yanina Wickmayer of Belgium in action.

New Zealand's Marina Erakovic and France's Alize Cornet face off at the ASB Classic.

New Zealand's Marina Erakovic in action during her match against Alize Cornet of France at the ASB Classic in Auckland.

Alize Cornet of France on her way to defeating New Zealand's Marina Erakovic at the ASB Classic in Auckland.

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Reuters

PROTEST: Protesters have renewed action against Israeli tennis player Shahar Peer's participation in Auckland's ASB Classic.

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Under siege Israeli tennis player Shahar Peer would like the people protesting at her appearance at the ASB Classic to understand that it’s not her who's personally responsible for anything that happens in Palestine.

The world No 30 was forced to play her first round match at the Classic yesterday while a group of around eight protesters, led by veteran campaigner John Minto, yelled from outside the stadium for her to quit the tournament as well as making other comments about Israel’s occupation of Palestine.

There were similar protests against Peer at last year’s tournament.

When asked for her views on the protest, Peer said she was disappointed, but respected their rights.

"I don’t really have a reaction. Everyone can do whatever they want," said the 22-year-old Peer.

"Like I’ve been saying since last year I don’t think there’s a place to involve politics in sport.

"It’s a shame that somebody thinks it’s my fault that there are problems in the world.

"For me, the most important thing is that even though I was hearing those things which he was saying which weren’t not nice, I still won and that was my main thing, to win today and go to the next round."

Earlier in the day play was delayed for nearly half an hour and the stadium evacuated when the police were called because of a suspicious bag in the stands, with it being no coincidence that the heightened security concerns happened the same day as Peer played her first match at the Classic.

It was reported that the protest group fronted by Mr Minto, Global Peace and Justice Auckland had sent a letter to Peer on Monday asking her to withdraw from the tournament "as a demonstration of your commitment to peace" but Peer said she had seen no such letter.

Peer won her singles match on court four against Polona Hercog from Slovenia 7-5 6-3, she could hear the protesters the other side of fence of the tennis centre during the match.

"I heard my name a lot and another word which I didn’t know and he said something about Palestine, I don't really know what he was saying," she said.

"It was hard to understand but I did hear my name all the time which wasn’t really nice."

Peer says Auckland is the only place where she ever hears protests against her appearing, but it won’t stop her coming back.

"As you can see I've come back again (after last year). I really like this tournament, it’s a very nice tournament and Brenda (Perry, tournament director) is doing a very good job."