Women Tennis Association announce suspension of tournaments in China amid disapperance of Peng Shuai.
The Women’s Tennis Association announced an instant suspension of all tournaments in China amid concern for Chinese tennis player Peng Shuai.
Peng disappeared from public view for three weeks after she accused a top Chinese official of sexual assault.
WTA chief Steve Simon stated that he had “serious doubts” that Peng was “free, safe and not subject to intimidation”.
“In good conscience, I don’t see how I can ask our athletes to compete there,” he said.
In response, China said it “opposes the politicisation of sports”.
News about the suspension of the WTA tournaments in China has been removed from the internet in the country, although the WTA’s account on Chinese social media site Weibo is still available.
The WTA has repeatedly called for a full investigation into Peng’s claims.
There was widespread concern for Peng after she accused former Vice-Premier Zhang Gaoli of sexual assault.
She said she was “safe and well” during a video call with Thomas Bach, the president of the International Olympic Committee, in November.
However, the WTA said the video was “insufficient evidence” of Peng’s safety.
In a lengthy statement, Simon said he was “greatly concerned” about the risks players and staff could face if events were held in China in 2022.
“The leadership in China has not addressed this very serious issue in any credible way,” he said.
“If powerful people can suppress the voices of women and sweep allegations of sexual assault under the rug, then the basis on which the WTA was founded – equality for women – would suffer an immense setback.
“I will not and cannot let that happen to the WTA and its players.”
The suspension also includes tournaments in Hong Kong.
World number one Novak Djokovic backed the WTA’s “very bold and very courageous” move and said Peng’s health was of the “utmost importance to the world of tennis”.
“I support fully the WTA’s stance because we don’t have enough information about Peng Shuai and her well-being,” he added.
Former world number one and WTA founder Billie Jean King praised the organisation for taking a strong stand.
“This is another reason why women’s tennis is the leader in women’s sports,” King wrote on Twitter.
“The WTA is on the right side of history in supporting our players.”
Several players, including two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova and US Open quarter-finalist Shelby Rogers, tweeted their support for the WTA’s decision.
Julian Knight MP, who chairs the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee, said he welcomed the stance, adding: “If only other sports showed this solidarity and moral clarity.”
