Following Chinese player Peng Shuai’s disappearance for a few weeks last year (after accusing a Chinese leader of sexually assaulting her), the WTA removed tournaments scheduled in China from its schedule. And, on Sunday, Steve Simon, the boss of the body which manages women’s tennis, declared that there will also be no competitions organized in this country this year.
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“We have no intention of moving away from China”
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« We remain committed to finding a solution (in the case of Peng Shuai), Simon told Tennis Podcast. A solution that Peng, the Chinese government and ourselves will be comfortable with. We have no intention of moving away from China. We have suspended our operations there for the time being, and will continue to do so until we reach a resolution. »
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Steve Simon also said that the WTA ” hadn’t had any recent communication with Peng and the world hasn’t seen her since the Olympics either. (Winter in Beijing, last February, where she had made an appearance)”. During the Olympics, the Chinese player had denied having made accusations of sexual assault, presumably under pressure from the government of her country. The WTA had requested an official investigation as well as the possibility of meeting Peng Shuai in private.
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WTA Fall Schedule Announced Soon
The women’s tennis body has not yet published its calendar for the year 2022, for the tournaments which will follow the US Open, next September. But Steve Simon said the WTA would announce a fall schedule ” strong enough in the next two or three weeks.
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Finally Simon mentioned the fact that the ATP had maintained its tournaments in China. He said he respects the position of the governing body of men’s tennis. ” The difference is that they don’t have a struggling member there.he said. They will have to make their own decisions about this. Would we like to have their support? Absolutely. But we will in no way try to influence their decision. It must be theirs. »
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