NS Women’s Professional Tennis Tournament announced Wednesday that it has suspended all tournament in China amid what its president called “serious doubts” about the safety of Chinese player Peng Shuai, who has accused a top Communist Party leader of sexual assault. WTA President and CEO Steve Simon said the move – which could cost the Women’s Tennis Association hundreds of millions of dollars – had the “full support” of the tournament’s board of directors. It also quickly garnered support from the sport’s top stars, including men’s world number one Novak Djokovic and women’s tournament founder Billie Jean King.
“I announce the immediate suspension of all WTA tournaments in China, including Hong Kong,” Simon said in a statement.
“In good conscience, I do not see how it is possible to ask our athletes to compete there when Peng Shuai is not allowed to socialize freely and appears to have been pressured to refute allegations of assault. her sexuality,” said Simon.
“Given the current situation, I am also very worried about the risks that all our players and staff may face if we hold events in China in 2022.”
The WTA planned 11 events in China this year before Covid-19 forced them to be postponed or cancelled. The 2022 schedule is yet to be set.
In 2019, China held 10 events with a total prize money of up to 30 million USD.
Peng, the 35-year-old Wimbledon and French Open women’s doubles champion, has not been seen for more than two weeks after she alleged that former deputy prime minister Zhang Gaoli, now 70, forced her to have sex during throughout a year-long relationship-and-off.
Peng’s statement against Zhang is the first time China’s #MeToo movement has reached the highest levels of the ruling Communist Party.
Her accusations, posted on November 2, were quickly debunked on the internet in China, and she was not seen publicly for weeks.
Peng was then photographed at a tennis event in Beijing and was on a November 21 video call with Thomas Bach, the president of the International Olympic Committee.
Beijing will host the Winter Olympics in February amid calls for a diplomatic boycott of the Games over the country’s human rights record.
“While we now know where Peng is, I really doubt she is free, safe and free from censorship, coercion and threats,” Simon said.
Simon echoed the WTA’s call for a “full and transparent – censorship-free investigation” into Peng’s sexual assault allegations.
Speaking to CNN on Wednesday night, he called the issue “something we can’t ignore.
“If we get out of this, we’re basically telling the world that it’s okay not to tackle sexual assault with the respect and seriousness it demands because it’s very difficult,” he said. perform”.
“Bold and Courageous”
Djokovic, in Madrid for the Davis Cup final, backed what he called a “very bold and very courageous” move.
“I fully support the stance of the WTA because we don’t have enough information about Peng Shuai and her state of health,” said Djokovic, adding that her health was “of primary importance to us.” with the world of tennis.”
King, the 12-time Grand Slam singles champion who founded the tournament in 1973, also praised the move.
“WTA is on the right side of history in supporting our players,” King tweeted. “This is another reason why women’s tennis is at the top of women’s sports.”
The International Tennis Federation (ITF) said it “well understands the decision” of the WTA.
“The WTA has stood firm and true to its values from the start and we understand their decision. We will continue to closely monitor the situation,” the ITF said in a statement to AFP.
As the controversy subsided, the European Union, the United Nations, the United States and Britain all called for proof of Peng’s whereabouts and state of health.
Simon said he was “satisfied with the international support the WTA has received for his position.”
“To protect Peng and many other women around the world, it is more urgent than ever for people to speak up,” he said.
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On CNN, Simon also talked about Peng herself, and how she might have felt when it happened, noting that he was unable to contact her directly despite repeated attempts.
“We hope that she feels that none of this is her fault and we are very proud of her,” he said.
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