Peng Shuai case: bang! WTA suspends all tournaments in China
As it became known on Wednesday, the WTA has decided to take tough measures in the Peng Shuai case. According to a statement from Steve Simon, all tournaments in China and Hong Kong will be suspended until further notice.
by Michael Rothschädl
last edit: Dec 01, 2021, 08:29 pm
The statement, which was distributed by the WTA on Wednesday evening, begins with a reconstruction of the events surrounding the Chinese ex-player Peng Shuai. A few weeks ago, she raised allegations of abuse against a high-ranking political representative of China on social media. Allegations removed by Chinese censors minutes after being published.
Eventful days followed. Peng Shuai did not appear publicly a few days after the allegations became known, there was a possible disappearance of the tennis player. Images, videos and video chats with Shuai did not become known until the tennis world - above all the WTA - came under pressure. All organized and published by the Chinese government media. And accordingly not very trustworthy.
WTA takes tough measures
These events have now led the WTA to take tough action against China: "As a result, and with the full support of the WTA Board of Directors, I announce the immediate suspension of all WTA tournaments in China, including Hong Kong. I do not see how I can in good conscience ask our athletes to compete there when Peng Shuai is not allowed to communicate freely and has apparently been pressured to refute their allegations of sexual assault, " writes CEO Steve Simon on the official website.
The female players' association is convinced: "If powerful people can suppress women's voices and sweep allegations of sexual assault under the carpet, then the foundation on which the WTA was founded - equality for women - would suffer a huge setback. I want to and can't let that happen to the WTA and its players. "
In addition to the intolerance of the events surrounding Peng Shuai - the WTA is obliged to set an example in this context - Simon emphasizes that
More information will follow!