WTA suspends tournaments in China due to Peng Shuai situation

Tennis – WTA Mandatory – Madrid Open – Madrid, Spain – May 6, 2018 China’s Peng Shuai in a match against Spain’s Garbine Muguruza in their 64th semifinal match REUTERS / Susana Vera

December 1 (Reuters) – The Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) announced on Wednesday that it has decided to suspend tournaments in China because of concerns over the safety of former world duel player Peng Shuai.

“I don’t understand how I can ask our athletes to compete there when Peng Shuai is not allowed to communicate freely and has apparently been pressured to deny his allegations of sexual violence,” WTA CEO Steve Simon said in a statement.

“Given the current situation, I am also very concerned about the risks that all of our players and staff may face if we host events in China in 2022.”

Peng’s whereabouts became an international concern for nearly three weeks after he published a message on social media alleging that he had been sexually assaulted by former Chinese Premier Zhang Gaoli.

On Nov. 21, IOC President Thomas Bach had a 30-minute video call with Peng – a three-time Olympic champion who supporters say may be under political pressure – during which he said he was safe with family and friends.

But Simon, who said the decision to suspend tournaments in China received the full support of the WTA board, is not convinced that everything is fine with Peng.

“Even though we now know where Peng is, I seriously doubt if he is free, safe and not subject to censorship, coercion and intimidation,” Simon said.

“The WTA has made clear what is needed here, and we reiterate our call for a full and open investigation – without censorship – of Peng Shua’s sexual violence.”

Reported by Frank Pingue in Toronto Edited by Toby Davis

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