Davis Cup: Daniil Medvedev does not want to criticize ATP in the Peng Shuai case
While there was criticism in many places that the ATP would not act decisively enough in the case of Peng Shuai, Daniil Medvedev stood behind the ATP on the sidelines of the Davis Cup Finals.
by Michael Rothschädl
last edit: Dec 03, 2021, 04:43 pm
The WTA took action. Tackled hard. With the decision to stop hosting tournaments in China with immediate effect, WTA boss Steve Simon set the ultima ratio - and was given the highest respect across all disciplines for this. After the WTA continued to escalate to protect the safety of Peng Shuai - who has been subjected to harsh repression since the publication of allegations of abuse against a high-ranking Chinese politician - the question arose early on whether the ATP would follow suit.
The men's organization provided the answer a few hours later - and thus satisfied a few. They want to work for the safety of all athletes, but not really follow these words with great deeds at the moment. That caused criticism. Sharp criticism. Put economic interests first, are not prepared to take tough (enough) action, so the reading. Andy Roddick, for example, commented on the ATP statement on Twitter: "How to say a lot of words without saying anything."
Medvedev does not want to criticize ATP
The ATP did not really want to criticize Daniil Medvedev, who said on the sidelines of the Davis Cup Finals: "What the WTA did was definitely a strong decision," said the world number two. "I don't want to blame anyone. I have the feeling that there are many opinions about what to do. I don't want to denounce anyone who doesn't do the same (note like the WTA). Perhaps Andrea (note Gaudenzi ) a different opinion on what to do in this situation and how to react, "explained the Russian. "What the WTA did was a reaction. So the ATP reacted differently. I don't want to say which is good or which is bad."
When asked whether he would feel comfortable playing in China in the face of these allegations, Medvedev did not really want to make a clear statement: "The next tournament is only in autumn. At the moment, a person is missing, which is of course not good. Hopefully this issue can be resolved, "declared the Russian. But because the next event in China is still so long, the 25-year-old doesn't want to commit himself: "I don't want to comment that early, if the tournament was next week, probably nobody would feel comfortable. Some countries have Problems and yet we play tennis in most of them. "