Flag returns to Israeli tennis star's profile after 'mysterious' disappearance

Israel and Malaysia do not maintain formal diplomatic relations.

By ALLON SINAI
Updated: MARCH 2, 2017 13:43
Julia Glushko broke Caroline Wozniacki’s serve twice during yesterday’s first-round match at the Auckland Classic in New Zealand, (photo credit: NIR KEIDAR/ISRAEL TENNIS ASSOCIATION)
Julia Glushko broke Caroline Wozniacki’s serve twice during yesterday’s first-round match at the Auckland Classic in New Zealand,
(photo credit: NIR KEIDAR/ISRAEL TENNIS ASSOCIATION)
Israeli tennis player Julia Glushko's nationality is once more back by her name on the WTA website after disappearing together with the country's flag ahead of her scheduled participation in the Malaysian Open in Kuala Lumpur this week.
The organizers of the event had asked in advance that any sign linking Glushko with Israel be removed from the WTA website as a condition for her participation in the tournament.
Glushko, ranked No. 215 in the world, ended up pulling out of the event due to illness.
Minister of Culture and Sport Miri Regev took credit for the return of the flag on Wednesday.
"The age when we were demanded to hide our identity ended 69 years ago," Regev tweeted. "I'm happy that my demand to return the Israeli symbols to Julia Glushko's profile was accepted."
In 2009, a WTA event in Dubai was fined $300,000 for denying Shahar Pe'er a visa.
The organizers were made to provide written confirmation that Pe'er would be able to play in the tournament the following year which she did successfully.
Israel and Malaysia do not maintain formal diplomatic relations.