Women’s Tennis: Later this year, the women’s professional tennis tour will resume play in China, breaking a boycott that was put in place in late 2021 due to worries for the safety of former player Peng Shuai after she accused a senior government official of sexual assault.
After meticulously planned appearances during the Winter Olympics held in Beijing in February 2022, there have been no reports of Peng sightings in public.
Steve Simon, the chairman and CEO of the Women’s Tennis Association, however, stated that they have had indications from persons who are close to her that she is safe and living with her family in Beijing.
The decision was made, with input from player and tournament representatives, for the tour to return to China, Simon continued, even though the assurances he sought—a chance for someone from the tour to meet with Peng, as well as a thorough and transparent investigation into her claims—were never fulfilled.
“The position we adopted at the time was proper,” Simon told The Associated Press, “And we stand by that. Yet after 16 months, we’re certain that our demands won’t be granted. And it would be foolish to keep using the same approach.
“We had to consider a fresh strategy. With this, our members think it’s time to pick up the mission in China, where we think we can keep making progress, as we have for the past 20 years, while also making sure Peng is not forgotten. Perhaps by coming back, further progress can be made.”
Simon added: “The vast majority of the athletes were supportive and wanted to see a return.” Simon also stated that the WTA has received assurances from the Chinese Tennis Association, the sport’s national governing body, that “there won’t be any issues with our athletes or our staff while they’re competing within the region.”
The finalised tour itinerary for China should be made public in the upcoming weeks.
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