Iga Swiatek has voiced her opinion on the return of the WTA to China later this year explaining that she trusts the organisation to make the right decision.
The WTA released a statement on April 13, stating that it plans to resume events in China later in 2023 after a 16-month suspension due to allegations of sexual assault made by Peng Shuai against high-ranking political figures in the country.
While some players have already expressed support for the decision and are looking forward to a return to tennis in China this year, Swiatek, the current world number one, has now shared her thoughts:
"I just trust that the WTA is making the right decision. I hope that we, as players, can be safe no matter what country we are from. I don’t have any kind of emotional influence because I have never even been to China. It’s hard for me to say anything, but I just hope that WTA is strategically making a good choice.”
She didn't want to confirm whether she will be there though the expectations are that she will:
"We haven’t talked about it in the team but the biggest tournaments are going to be there at the end of the year. The calendar is constructed that way, so we kind of have to follow that. But we (my team) have only talked about (our schedule) up until Wimbledon what’s happening."
Iga Swiatek on WTA’s return to China & Peng Shuai: “I just trust that WTA is making right decision. I hope that we, as players, can be safe no matter what country we’re from. I don't have any emotional influence bc I’ve never even been to China. It's hard for me to say anything”
