Tennis: WTA says return to China will require resolution to Peng case
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Peng Shuai had accused Chinese former Vice-Premier Zhang Gaoli of sexual assault in 2021 in a post on social media.
PHOTO: AFP
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BENGALURU – The return of WTA tournaments to China in 2023 will hinge on a resolution to the Peng Shuai issue, with the governing body of the women’s game telling Reuters on Wednesday it had still not met the Chinese former doubles world No. 1 personally.
The 36-year-old had accused Chinese former vice-premier Zhang Gaoli of sexual assault in 2021 in a post on social media that was soon removed from the country’s Internet.
She later denied having made the accusation.
Peng’s post caused an international outcry over her safety
A provisional 2023 tournament calendar released late last year listed the WTA’s schedule up to September, but there was no clarity on events to be held in the country.
“There has not been any change in the WTA position on a return to China and we have only confirmed our 2023 calendar through US Open,” the WTA said in a statement.
“A return to the region will require a resolution to the Peng situation, in which she took a bold step in publicly coming forth with the accusation that she was sexually assaulted by a senior Chinese government leader.
“As we would do with any of our players globally, we have called for a formal investigation into the allegations by the appropriate authorities and an opportunity for the WTA to meet with Peng – privately – to discuss her situation.”
The WTA said it had received confirmation Peng was safe and comfortable
“We continue to hold firm on our position and our thoughts remain with Peng,” the statement added. “The WTA continues to work towards a resolution.
“While we have always indicated we are hopeful we will be in a position to again operate WTA events in the region, we will not compromise our founding principles in order to do so.”
In July 2022, men’s governing body ATP cancelled its events in China due to the Covid-19 crisis in the country.
Meanwhile, WTA Finals winner Caroline Garcia said she struggled with bulimia as she looked to “fill a void” when things were not going her way on court.
The Frenchwoman, who won top-tier titles in Wuhan and Beijing in 2017, said the last couple of years had been marked by “tears and sleepless nights” and eventually an eating disorder.
Noting that she “used to take refuge in food”, the 29-year-old told French sports daily L’Equipe on Thursday: “You feel so empty, so sad, that you need to fill yourself. It came from the distress of not managing to do what I wanted to do on court, of not winning any more, of suffering physically.” REUTERS
