MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Tennis player Peng Shuai mystery: WTA suspends all WTA tournaments in China and Hong Kong

“I don’t see how I can ask our athletes to compete there when Peng Shuai is not allowed to communicate freely,” said Steve Simon

The president of the Women's Tennis Association, WTA, Steve Simon announced on Wednesday “the immediate suspension of all WTA tournaments in China, including Hong Kong,” as a result of the situation with Chinese ex-player Peng Shuai who had been disappeared for weeks and later confirmed she was “fine” in what seemed an official tailored statement, following on global interest about what happened to the former number one player of the world.

“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. 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”, added the release from Steve Simon..

There are no pending WTA tournaments and the 2022 calendar has yet to be made public. During the last season in 2019, before the pandemic, ten tournaments were played in China including the Women's Master.

“The WTA will do everything possible to protect its players. As we do so, I hope leaders around the world will continue to speak out so justice can be done for Peng, and all women, no matter the financial ramifications.”

Peng Shuai, 35, disappeared in early November after posting a message publicly accusing a high ranking member of the Chinese Communist Party of sexual abuse. The message was erased and following on questions about Peng's whereabouts from top tennis players, Chris Evert, Djokovic, Williams, plus interest from several Western countries, the European Union and UN, Beijing released, November 21st, a video showing Peng in a restaurant and during a tennis tournament.

She also talked with Thomas Bach, president of the International Olympic Committee, and confirmed she was “safe and sound at her home in Beijing, but would like her privacy to be respected”. However Li Lingwei a member of the Chinese Olympic Committee was also present during the video conference, making it look like an alleged set-up.

Follows the statement bt Steve Simon, WTO Chairman and CEO,

“When on November 2, 2021, Peng Shuai posted an allegation of sexual assault against a top Chinese government official, the Women’s Tennis Association recognized that Peng Shuai’s message had to be listened to and taken seriously. The players of the WTA, not to mention women around the world, deserve nothing less.

From that moment forward, Peng Shuai demonstrated the importance of speaking out, particularly when it comes to sexual assault, and especially when powerful people are involved. As Peng said in her post, “Even if it is like an egg hitting a rock, or if I am like a moth drawn to the flame, inviting self-destruction, I will tell the truth about you.” She knew the dangers she would face, yet she went public anyway. I admire her strength and courage.

Since then, Peng’s message has been removed from the internet and discussion of this serious issue has been censored in China. Chinese officials have been provided the opportunity to cease this censorship, verifiably prove that Peng is free and able to speak without interference or intimidation, and investigate the allegation of sexual assault in a full, fair and transparent manner. Unfortunately, the leadership in China has not addressed this very serious issue in any credible way. While we now know where Peng is, I have serious doubts that she is free, safe and not subject to censorship, coercion and intimidation. 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. 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. 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 have been gratified by the massive amount of international support the WTA has received for its position on this matter. To further protect Peng and many other women throughout the world, it is more urgent than ever for people to speak out. The WTA will do everything possible to protect its players. As we do so, I hope leaders around the world will continue to speak out so justice can be done for Peng, and all women, no matter the financial ramifications.

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. They should be proud of their achievements, hospitality and success. 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.”