Jordanian teen tennis player refuses to face 'Israeli' opponent, forfeits match

• Jordanian tennis player withdraws from Cyprus ITF event after refusing to play 'Israeli' opponent

A 17-year-old Jordanian tennis player has withdrawn from an International Tennis Federation (ITF) junior tournament in Cyprus after refusing to face an 'Israeli' opponent in the opening round, his mother said, describing the decision as a principled stand.

Talal Shatara, a member of Jordan’s national tennis team, pulled out of the ITF J30 event, which runs from May 25 to June 1, after learning the identity of his first-round opponent, according to his family.

In remarks to Roya News, his mother said she was “proud and reassured for life” over her son’s decision, calling it a defining moral moment that would shape how he acts throughout his life.

She said the tournament represented an important opportunity for the young athlete to gain international ranking points and open doors to future university scholarships, particularly abroad. However, she added that he chose to forgo those prospects after concluding that competing against an 'Israeli' player conflicted with his principles and the family’s stance.

“He came to apologise to me and his father for the travel costs and flight ticket after withdrawing without competing,” she said. “We told him his position is priceless, and that preserving principles matters far more than any sporting title.”

Shatara has been part of Jordan’s national tennis setup since the age of 10 and is considered one of the country’s emerging talents. He has also achieved a strong domestic standing, ranking third in the men’s category in his most recent official competition.

ITF J30 tournaments are entry-level international junior events sanctioned by the International Tennis Federation, serving as a pathway for young players to earn ranking points and progress toward higher-level competitions and collegiate recruitment opportunities.

By withdrawing, Shatara forfeited the chance to earn valuable ranking points that could have strengthened his prospects for international exposure and potential scholarship offers from universities, particularly in the United States.