WTA CEO
Steve Simon stated that Peng Shuai is safe.
Chinese
player Peng accused a former vice premier of the country of sexual assault in
2021 through her social media channels and then disappeared from public view.
In light of the controversy, the WTA decided not to hold tournaments in the
country until there was clear information about Peng's whereabouts.
The
President of the International Olympic Committee, Thomas Bach, met with Peng
during the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics, but many considered it to be staged.
The Chinese tennis player abruptly left the tour, and fans from around the
world have raised banners saying "Where is Peng Shuai?"
"The
WTA knows that she is safe and knows where she is," Steve Simon said to
L'Equipe.
"We
have taken a very strong stance in China, which very few companies or
industries have done.
According
to the CEO of the WTA, they now have clarity regarding the situation of the
Chinese tennis player, so tournaments will return to the Asian country.
"Almost
two years later, the progress we wanted to see in China has not led to a
solution.
"So it
was time to change our approach.
"We
were reassured by the fact that Peng Shuai is safe and we know where she is.
An official
statement from the WTA confirmed that the ban on China is lifted.
"After
16 months of suspended tennis competition 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," the organisation added.
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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