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By Frank Pingue
(Reuters) – The Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) announced on Wednesday that all Chinese tournaments would be suspended immediately due to concerns about the welfare of former world number one Peng Shuai doubles and the safety of other players.
The decision to move away from one of its largest markets in the US has been applauded by many of the world’s leading tennis players, but it has cost the WTA hundreds of millions of dollars in broadcast and sponsor revenue.
Peng’s turnaround became an international concern https://www.reuters.com/business/media-telecom/china-editor-says-he-does-not-think-peng-faces-retribution-2021-11-19 A nearly three-week public absence when he posted a message on social media in early November alleging that he had sexually assaulted former Chinese Deputy Prime Minister Zhang Gaoli.
Neither Zhang, who retired in 2018, nor the Chinese government have commented on Peng’s accusation and blocked the issue from direct discussion on China’s highly censored Internet.
“I don’t see how I can ask our athletes to compete there when Peng Shuai is not allowed to communicate freely and is apparently pressured to contradict his allegation of sexual assault,” WTA Director-General Steve Simon said in a statement.
“Given the current situation, I am also concerned about the risks that all our players and employees could face if we were to hold events in China in 2022.”
The Chinese Foreign Ministry did not immediately respond to the request for comment, and calls from the organizers of the China Open tournament went unanswered.
The ministry said late last month that “certain people” should stop the “evil” and “politicization” of the Peng case.
The decision comes as Beijing prepares to host the Winter Olympics next February. Global rights groups and others have called for a boycott of the Beijing Olympics over China’s human rights record.
‘SERIOUS DOUBTS’
Peng appeared in mid-November at a dinner party with friends and at a children’s tennis tournament in Beijing, as shown by photos and videos posted by Chinese state media and tournament organizers.
On November 21, COI President Thomas Bach made a 30-minute video call https://www.reuters.com/world/china/tennis-peng-shuai-appears-china-tennis-event-organiser-photos-show- 2021- 11-21 with Peng, who competed in three Olympics, and told him he was safe in them.
But Simon said the decision to suspend the tournament in China had the full support of the WTA Board of Directors, saying they weren’t all right with Peng.
“Even though we now know where Peng is, I have serious doubts that he is free, safe and not subject to censorship, coercion and intimidation,” Simon said.
“The WTA has made it clear what is needed here, and we reiterate our call for a full and transparent investigation into Peng Shua’s sexual assault allegations, without censorship.”
Simon said Peng’s situation demanded an answer.
“Powerful people can crush women’s voices and erase allegations of sexual assault under the rug, so the WTA’s founding foundation – women’s equality – would suffer a huge setback. I won’t let that happen and I can’t let it go.” he added.
‘THE RIGHT TO HISTORY’
Billie Jean King was a great tennis player and founder of the WTA among those who applauded the announcement.
“The WTA has chosen to be on the right side of history to defend the rights of our players,” King said in a statement. “This is another reason why women’s tennis is a leader in women’s sports.”
Martina Navratilova also expressed her support on Twitter (NYSE :), suggesting that the IOC be “considered”.
Novak Djokovic, the world’s number one men, who recently formed a players ’union with the aim of replacing men’s and women’s professionals, sided with the movement.
“I fully support the WTA’s position because we don’t have enough information about Shuai Peng and his well-being,” the Serb said after the Davis Cup draw in Madrid.
“It’s the life of a tennis player that’s being questioned here, so as a tennis community, we need to be together.”
The United States Tennis Association praised the WTA.
“This kind of leadership is courageous and all that is needed is to ensure that the rights of all individuals are protected and that all voices are heard,” the organization said in a statement.
The International Tennis Federation (ITF) and the Men’s Professional Tennis Association (ATP) did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
China’s ambassador to Cuba Ma Hui has responded with a single word on Twitter.
“Posturing?” he wrote.
ATTRACTIVE DISTRIBUTION
Simon had previously said that the WTA would close its operations in China if it was not satisfied with the response to the allegations.
The WTA launched an aggressive expansion into China on the eve of the 2008 Beijing Olympics, and Li Na’s victory at the 2011 French Open spurred local interest in the sport.
China hosted only two WTA events in 2008, but 11 years later it hosted nine, including the 2018 WTA Tour finals, which the city of Shenzhen achieved in a 10-year deal in 2018.
In 2015, the WTA announced a 10-year digital rights agreement worth $ 120 million with China’s iQiyi streaming platform.
The pandemic forced the cancellation of all WTA events in China in 2020 and 2021, including this year’s Tour Finals to Mexico.
The 2022 tour schedule has not yet been released.
“If China does not take the steps we have been asked to take, we cannot jeopardize our players and staff by holding events in China,” Simon said on Wednesday.
“Chinese leaders have left the WTA with no choice. I remain hopeful that our demands will be heard and that the Chinese authorities will take steps to deal with this issue lawfully.”
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