WTA suspends all tournaments in China over Peng Shuai concerns

The Women’s Tennis Association announced on Wednesday it will suspend all women’s tennis tournaments in China, citing inaction on Peng Shuai’s sexual harassment claims and its implication for the safety of other players who travel there to play. 

In a statement, WTA CEO Steve Simon explained that its repeated demands for a “full and transparent investigation – without censorship” had not been met.

“Chinese officials have been provided the opportunity to cease this censorship, verifiably prove that Peng is free and able to speak without interference or intimidation and investigate the allegation of sexual assault in a full, fair and transparent manner,” said Simon. “Unfortunately, the leadership in China has not addressed this very serious issue in any credible way. While we now know where Peng is, I have serious doubts that she is free, safe and not subject to censorship, coercion and intimidation.”

Simon also expressed concern over asking female tennis players to travel to and compete in an environment where Peng cannot speak freely.

“Given the current state of affairs, I am also greatly concerned about the risks that all of our players and staff could face if we were to hold events in China in 2022,” said Simon.

Simon told the Associated Press that the decision to halt play in China, including Hong Kong, has the backing of the WTA board of directors, players, tournaments and sponsors.

The same day as the WTA announcement, the International Olympic Committee announced it had another video call with Peng to reconfirm she was “safe and well.”

“We share the same concern as many other people and organizations about the well-being and safety of Peng Shuai,” the IOC said in a statement. It also said that Peng had agreed to a personal meeting in January, but offered no further details.

As with the first call on Nov. 21, the IOC did not release video or a transcript.

China hosts around 10 women’s tennis tournaments each year, including a ten-year contract for the WTA Finals. The WTA invested heavily into the Chinese market over the last decade, and may lose millions of dollars due to this decision.

The IOC has been criticized for its more cautious, “quiet diplomacy” approach to the Peng's disappearance. China will be hosting the Winter Olympics in Beijing next year.