Suspension of WTA tournaments in China could be long term

The suspension of all Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) tournaments in China due to concerns for the safety of Peng Shuai, who accused a former senior official of the ruling Communist Party of sexual abuse, could extend beyond 2022, he said. the circuit director.

“We are prepared, if the situation remains as it is – which has not been productive so far – that we will not be operating in the region,” said Steve Simon, executive director of the WTA circuit, from California. “It is an organizational work to resolve an issue between what is right and what is wrong.”

He commented that the move to cancel their tournaments in China, including Hong Kong, is backed by the WTA board of directors, players, tournaments and sponsors. It is the strongest public stance against China taken by a sports body – one that could cost the WTA millions of dollars.

Peng disappeared from public view after accusing a former member of the Communist Party Standing Committee, Zhang Gaoli, of sexual abuse in a message on an online platform. The message, published on November 2, was immediately deleted by the Chinese authorities.

“Our position in this regard and our request to the authorities are consistent and will continue to do so. We definitely want to have our own discussion with Peng and feel comfortable knowing that she is really safe and free, knowing that she hasn’t been censored, bullied or anything like that, “Simon said.

“Unfortunately, the authorities in China have not addressed this serious matter in a credible way,” he said, in a statement released by the tour. “While we already know Peng’s whereabouts, I have serious doubts as to whether he is at liberty.”

Simon reiterated his call for a “full and transparent investigation – uncensored” into Peng’s allegations. The tour has taken an unusually strong stance towards China, which was supposed to host several tournaments next year. One such event is the WTA Finals, the prestigious end-of-season event.

“With a clear conscience, I don’t see how to ask our players to compete there when Peng Shuai is not allowed to communicate freely and is apparently being pressured to deny her allegations of sexual assault,” said Simon.

“Given the current state of affairs, I am very concerned about the risks that players and staff could face if we hold tournament events in China in 2022,” he said.

China usually hosts ten tournaments of the women’s tour each year. The WTA Finals is one of those dates, on the agenda for a decade. The country injects billions into various sports entities and leagues, such as the WTA, the NBA and the International Olympic Committee.

“I applaud Steve Simon and the WTA leaders for taking a strong stand in defending human rights in China and around the world,” said Billie Jean King, pioneer of women’s tennis and a Hall of Famer.

“The WTA decided to take the right side of history by defending the rights of our players. This is another sign that tennis is at the forefront of women’s sport ”, he added.

Beijing will host the Winter Olympics, starting February 4, and International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach said last month that he spoke to Peng via video call.

The IOC did not release any video or transcript of the call and only indicated that Bach reported that the tennis player was fine. He also did not explain how the call was organized, although he has contacts with the Chinese Olympic Committee and government authorities for the imminent Olympic Games.

Demonstrating voices have suggested that Peng would not have called the IOC if he really had the freedom to speak.

“If the powerful can suppress women’s voices and hide allegations of sexual assault, then the foundation on which the WTA was founded – equity for women – will take a major hit. I will not and cannot let that happen with the WTA and its players, ”said Simon.

The concern generated after the censorship of the message and the subsequent disappearance from public view ended in fury. The hashtag #WhereIsPengShuai went viral on social media and garnered endorsement from tennis stars like Serena Williams, Naomi Osaka, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Martina Navratilova.