Because of worries about the safety of Peng Shuai, a Grand Slam doubles winner who accused a former government official of sexual assault, the director of the women's professional tennis tour stated Wednesday that all WTA tournaments in China will be suspended.
After making the claims against former vice premier Zhang Gaoli in a social media post on Nov. 2 that was promptly taken down by Chinese authorities, Peng disappeared from public view.
Also Read:Sojat mehendi -- Rajasthan's gift for Vicky-Katrina wedding
In a statement released by the tour, WTA Chairman and CEO Steve Simon said, "Unfortunately, the leadership in China has not addressed this extremely severe issue in any legitimate way." "While we now know where Peng is, I am doubtful that she is free, safe, and unaffected by censorship, pressure, or intimidation."
Simon has repeatedly called for a "full and transparent probe without censorship" into Peng's allegations, which he called for on Wednesday. The decision to cease his tour's play in China, including Hong Kong, was made "with the full approval of the WTA Board of Directors," he stated.
"I don't see how I can encourage our athletes to participate there in good conscience," Simon added, "since Peng Shuai is not allowed to speak freely and appears to have been coerced to refute her claim of sexual assault.”
Also Read: Mystery Deepens As Missing Tennis Star Peng Shuai Writes An Email, WTA Chief Raises Concerns
When asked about the decision at a normal press conference in Beijing on Thursday, foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin did not explicitly respond, but did say that China "opposes the politicisation of sports."
Also Read: Missing tennis player Peng Shuai reappears in public view
While Beijing has stayed relatively mute about the controversy, the People's Daily of the ruling Communist Party published Global Times on Thursday, which took aim at the WTA. "Some forces in the West are instigating a boycott against the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics," it said in an editorial on its Twitter account, which is blocked within China.
Several tennis events are expected to be staged in China next year, including the coveted season-ending WTA Finals, which will be contested there through 2030. Various sporting groups situated overseas, such as the WTA (whose headquarters are in St. Petersburg, Florida), the NBA (based in New York), and the International Olympic Committee (based in Lausanne, Switzerland), rely on the country for billions of dollars in revenue (Lausanne, Switzerland).
Billie Jean King commented, "I appreciate Steve Simon and the WTA leadership for taking a bold position on safeguarding human rights in China and across the world." "By supporting our players' rights, the WTA has decided to stand on the right side of history." This is another another reason why women's tennis is the most popular sport among women.”
Beijing will host the Winter Games beginning Feb. 4, and IOC President Thomas Bach stated on Nov. 21 that he had a 30-minute video conference with Peng, a three-time Olympian. The IOC did not share footage or a transcript of the conversation, instead stating that Bach reported that she was OK.
Peng looked to be "doing great," according to the IOC, who added that she had asked privacy. Although the IOC has worked closely with the Chinese Olympic Committee and government officials to plan the forthcoming Games, it did not explain how the call was set up.
Critics claim that if Peng was genuinely free to talk, she would not have called the IOC.
The European Union demanded on Tuesday that China provide "verifiable proof" that Peng, a 35-year-old former world number one in doubles who has won titles at Wimbledon and the French Open, is secure.
"Her recent public reappearance does not allay worries for her safety and freedom," a representative for the European Union stated.
Following criticism of governing Communist Party members or crackdowns on corruption or pro-democracy and labour rights activities, a number of Chinese businesses, activists, and ordinary individuals have vanished in recent years.
The domestic media has not covered the first #MeToo case to reach the political arena in China, and internet discussion of it has been heavily controlled.
"If strong individuals can silence women's voices and push claims of sexual assault under the ground," Simon added, "then the WTA's foundation equality for women will suffer a massive blow." "That is something I will not and cannot allow to happen to the WTA and its players."