The Women's Tennis Association (WTA) today announced the suspension of all tournaments in China and Hong Kong amid concerns for Chinese tennis star Peng Shuai, who had last month accused a top Chinese government official of sexual assault.
In a social media post on November 2, 35-year-old Peng, a former doubles World No 1, had accused 75-year-old Zhang Gaoli, a former Chinese vice-premier, of having coerced her into sex.
The winner of the Wimbledon and French open titles suddenly disappeared from the public as her lengthy post on a Chinese social media website was quickly deleted by the censors.
The United Nations Human Rights Office and the US, along with the WTA and a host of top tennis players all around the world, had demanded verifiable proof from Beijing about Peng's well-being and whereabouts.
The WTA said today that China's leaders have left the tennis body with no choice and that it will do "everything possible" to protect its players. It also hoped that leaders around the world will continue to speak out so justice can be done for Peng, and all women, no matter the "financial ramifications".
"With the full support of the WTA Board of Directors, I am announcing the immediate suspension of all WTA tournaments in China, including Hong Kong. In good conscience, I don't see how I can ask our athletes to compete there when Peng Shuai is not allowed to communicate freely and has seemingly been pressured to contradict her allegation of sexual assault," WTA chairman Steve Simon said in a statement on Thursday.
"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," he added.
This is a brave stance by Steve Simon and the WTA where we put principle above $ and stand up for women everywhere and particularly for Peng Shuai.
Now – what say you, @IOC ?!? #IOC – so far I can barely hear you!!!#WhereisPengShuai https://t.co/X7tNDbs3Uu— Martina Navratilova (@Martina) December 1, 2021
Repeating its call for a full, transparent and "without censorship" investigation into Peng's sexual assault accusation, the WTA said that 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," said Simon.
"None of this is acceptable nor can it become acceptable. If powerful people can suppress the voices of women and sweep allegations of sexual assault under the rug, then the basis on which the WTA was founded – equality for women – would suffer an immense setback. I will not and cannot let that happen to the WTA and its players," commented the WTA chief.
The decision has been welcomed by the tennis community the world over.
"I applaud Steve Simon and the WTA leadership for taking a strong stand on defending human rights in China and around the world.The WTA is on the right side of history in supporting our players. This is another reason why women's tennis is the leader in women's sports," tweeted former World No 1 Billie Jean King, a winner of 39 Grand Slam titles.
Current men's singles World No 1 Novak Djokovic, who had co-founded the Professional Tennis Players Association, also fully supported the WTA's stance.
"We don't have enough information and I think it's a very bold, very courageous stance from WTA. As a tennis community we have to stay all together," said Djokovic.
One of the greatest players of all time to have played the game, Martina Navratilova also praised the WTA decision.
"This is a brave stance by Steve Simon and the WTA where we put principle above $ and stand up for women everywhere and particularly for Peng Shuai. Now – what say you, @IOC ?!? #IOC – so far I can barely hear you!!! #WhereisPengShuai," tweeted Navratilova.
Also Read: China shocked as tennis star Peng accuses ex-Vice Premier Zhang of forcing her to have sex with him
