This article was last updated on April 16, 2022
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WTA CEO has “serious doubts� over Peng’s freedom and safety
Women’s tennis tour has significant presence in China, with Shenzhen hosting annual WTA Finals
The Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) has suspended all tournaments in China amid fears for the safety of Chinese player Peng Shuai.
There was widespread concern after Peng disappeared from public view in the wake of accusing a top Chinese official of sexual assault.
Now WTA chief executive Steve Simon has revealed “serious doubts� over Peng’s freedom and safety.
The WTA has repeatedly called for a full investigation into Peng’s claims, with the 35-year-old not seen in public for weeks after accusing former vice-premier Zhang Gaoli of sexual assault.
Simon has now revealed fears for the safety of players and staff on suspending events in China – in a move that could have repercussions for the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics and Paralympics.
“While we now know where Peng is, I have serious doubts that she is free, safe and not subject to censorship, coercion and intimidation,� said Simon.
“The WTA has been clear on what is needed here, and we repeat our call for a full and transparent investigation – without censorship – into Peng Shuai’s sexual assault accusation.
“None of this is acceptable nor can it become acceptable. 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.
“As a result, and with the full support of the WTA board of directors, I am announcing the immediate suspension of all WTA tournaments in China, including Hong Kong.�
Simon insisted the WTA will not relax its stance until Chinese officials comply with a number of demands, not least concerning Peng’s safety and whereabouts.
“In good conscience, I don’t see how I can ask our athletes to compete there when Peng Shuai is not allowed to communicate freely and has seemingly been pressured to contradict her allegation of sexual assault,� said Simon.
“Given the current state of affairs, I am also greatly concerned about the risks that all of our players and staff could face if we were to hold events in China in 2022.
“I very much regret it has come to this point. The tennis communities in China and Hong Kong are full of great people with whom we have worked for many years.
“However, unless China takes the steps we have asked for, we cannot put our players and staff at risk by holding events in China. China’s leaders have left the WTA with no choice.
“I remain hopeful that our pleas will be heard and the Chinese authorities will take steps to legitimately address this issue.�
Women’s tennis has been growing in popularity within the Chinese market in recent years, with Grand Slam winner Li Na one of several players from the country to achieve global success. In 2019, the WTA Finals were relocated from Singapore to Shenzhen as part of ten-year deal. Simon told the New York Times in 2018 that the agreement, which reportedly includes the construction of a new tennis arena, was worth more than US$1 billion when the real estate elements were factored in.
In 2019 there were eight events in China, including the WTA Elite Trophy, the WTA Premier Five Wuhan Open, the WTA Premier Mandatory Beijing Open and the WTA Finals – the latter of which offered players a record prize purse of UK£14 million (US$18.8 million).
However, the WTA has held no events in China since the pandemic took hold in 2020, with the WTA Finals cancelled last year for the first time in the tour’s history. This year the WTA Finals were moved to Guadalajara in Mexico.
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