Latvia’s Constitutional Court has thrown out a case challenging the constitutionality of the nation’s prohibition against dual citizenship, meaning supporters may have to look to parliament for change.

The case was brought by Marks Locovs, a Latvian and Israeli citizen, and Diāna Locovs, who wanted their daughter to also have dual citizenship. Marks Locovs had received Latvian citizenship under a pre-1995 provision that allowed exiles and their descendants to reclaim citizenship without having to give up citizenship in their host countries. The daughter received Israeli citizenship at birth, but was denied Latvian citizenship unless she gave up Israeli citizenship.

The parents challenged articles 3 and 9 of Latvia’s citizenship law. Part of Article 3 allows a child to be considered a citizen in cases where just one parent already has Latvian citizenship. But, according to Article 9, a person who becomes a Latvian citizen is not allowed to be a dual citizen.

The Locovses argued that the constitution guarantees equal rights for all citizens regardless of where they live. By denying their daughter Latvian citizenship, they argued, her rights had been violated.

The court saw it differently, according to an Aug. 23 press release.

The Locovses had specifically called into question Paragraph 2 of Article 3 of the citizenship law, but the court said this did not apply because the specific paragraph also states that at the time of a child’s birth the Latvian parent must permanently reside in Latvia. Rather, the court said, it is Paragraph 3 that applies to the Locovs family. That paragraph states if one parent is a Latvian citizen but the other is not, and both parents permanently reside outside Latvia, then a child’s citizenship is determined by agreement of the parents.

The court also noted that Article 9 applies only to gaining citizenship through naturalization, which would not apply in this case.

The Secretariat of the Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration has proposed to the government that dual citizenship be allowed for children born to Latvian citizens abroad. The proposal is part of an action plan aimed at stemming the emigration of Latvian citizens to Western Europe and encouraging repatriation.

Latvia’s young tennis wonder Ernests Gulbis fell Sept. 4 to 17th-seeded Carlos Moya of Spain, thus ending his surprising debut in the U.S. Open being played in New York.

Gulbis, 19, had surprised fans and tennis observers by breaking into the final 16 in men’s singles play when he beat eighth-seeded Tommy Robredo of Spain on Sept. 2.

Moya proved a stronger opponent, defeating the Latvian 7-5, 6-2, 6-7, 6-4 in their fourth-round match. Moya advanced to the quarter-finals.

Gulbis was the youngest player remaining in the singles draw, according to the official Web site of the U.S. Open. He stands to make USD 75,000 for getting in the final 16, while the winner of the tournament will make USD 1.4 million.

A Latvian named Gulbis is making a name in the professional sports world by hitting a little ball. But this time it’s not Latvian-American professional golfer Natalie Gulbis.

This time it’s 19-year-old Latvia-born tennis player Ernests Gulbis, who surprised fans and his opponents Sept. 2 by breaking into the final 16 in men’s singles play at the U.S. Open.

Gulbis beat Spain’s Tommy Robredo 6-1, 6-3, 6-2 in a quick 91-minute third-round match in New York, according to the official Web site of the U.S. Open. Robredo was seeded eighth in the U.S Open, while Gulbis currently is ranked 88th by the Association of Tennis Professionals.

In his first round match, the right-handed Gulbis defeated 30th-seeded Potito Starace of Italy 7-5, 7-6, 6-3. In the second round, Gulbis bested Germany’s Michael Berrer 7-6, 6-2, 6-1.

The 6-foot, 3-inch (1.91-meter) Gulbis, according to the Association of Tennis Professionals, has made USD 138,935 this year. His career singles record is 8 wins and 15 losses, while his career doubles record is 4-7.

When Gulbis was 12 years old, he began training in Germany under former Croatian pro Nikola Pilic. Gulbis began playing professionally in 2004.

Gulbis next faces Spain’s Carlos Moya in a fourth round match scheduled for Tuesday morning, Sept. 4. Moya is seeded 17th. Whoever wins heads to the quarter-finals.

Gulbis is not the only Latvian who has been competing in the U.S. Open. Andis Juska, 22, beat Antony Dupuis of France 6-3, 6-3 in the first round men’s singles qualifier, but fell to Go Soeda of Japan in the second round, 6-4, 3-6, 7-5.

Meanwhile, Latvia’s Līga Dekmeijere, 24, was paired with Ukraine’s Julia Vakulenko in women’s doubles play. They lost 6-2, 6-4 in the first round to the 14th-seeded pair of Agnes Szavay of Hungary and Vladimira Uhlirova of the Czech Republic.