WTA ends Peng Shuai-inspired boycott and resumes tournaments in China

The women's professional tennis tour is lifting its suspension of tournament operation in China and will resume tournaments this September, conceding its requests concerning the safety of former player Peng Shuai will not be met.

The boycott was instituted in late 2021 over concerns about the safety of Peng Shuai after she accused a high-ranking government official there of sexual assault. After making the allegation in November 2021, Peng then briefly disappeared from the public eye, before later withdrawing her statement.

At the time, the WTA called for a formal investigation into her accusations.

WTA Chairman and Chief Executive Steve Simon, supported by the WTA Board of Directors, players, tournaments and sponsors, said the tour would suspend play in China, delivering the strongest public stand against China by a sports body and costing the WTA millions of dollars in revenue.

Simon advised that while what he sought was never delivered – the opportunity for someone from the tour to meet with Peng, along with a full and transparent investigation into the Grand Slam doubles champion's accusations - the decision was made, with input from player and tournament representatives, to return to the country.

Simon noted "the stance that we took at the time was appropriate, and we stand by that. But 16 months into this, we're convinced that our requests will not be met. And to continue with the same strategy doesn't make sense.”

Although there have been no reports of Peng sightings in public since carefully orchestrated appearances during the Beijing Olympics in February 2022, Simon said the WTA has "received assurances from people who are close to her, that we've been in contact with, that she is safe and living with her family in Beijing".

The WTA released a statement advising “when we moved forward with this decision, we were not sure if others would join us.  We received much praise for our principled stand and believe we sent a powerful message to the world. But praise alone is insufficient to bring about change.

“After 16 months of suspended tennis competition in China and sustained efforts at achieving our original requests, the situation has shown no sign of changing.  We have concluded we will never fully secure those goals, and it will be our players and tournaments who ultimately will be paying an extraordinary price for their sacrifices.

“Through our time and commitment in China over the past 20 years, the WTA has made significant progress in creating a pathway and opportunity for women athletes to pursue tennis as a career and for tennis to become a focus of recreational activity in the country.  With the suspension, we forfeited our ability to provide women in the region with opportunities to advance professionally through tennis and be role models for future generations.

“While we do not regret our decision on the suspension, the WTA and its members feel that now is the time to return to our mission in China.  We are hopeful that by returning more progress can be made.

“Peng cannot be forgotten through this process.  It is important that our renewed engagement in China provides continued safety for Peng and all the women athletes who will benefit from our return to competition and the opportunities tennis provides. It is essential that women’s voices must be heard when speaking out. The WTA will continue to advocate for Peng and the advancement of women around the world.”

The International Tennis Federation (ITF), which will stage five women's and four men's events in June, welcomed the WTA's statement with the body's president David Haggerty sharing "we have received reassurance that it is safe for players, their families and teams to compete in China so we are pleased to have resumed our events there.”

Image: Shuai Peng competes at the WTA Malaysian Open in 2017. Credit: Shutterstock.