WTA not satisfied still on answers surrounding Peng Shuai

WTA authorities maintain restrictions on playing tournaments in China, as they are not satisfied with the response of the Chinese government in the case of Peng Shuai

The 37-year-old former tennis player denounced a high authority in China for sexually assaulting her. After that, she stopped having public appearances. The WTA decided in 2022 that no tournaments would be played in the Asian country until they are sure that Peng Shuai is fine.

“We have received confirmation that Peng is safe and comfortable, but we have not yet met with her personally,” indicated a WTA document published last Thursday.

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“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.”

Since Peng Shuai made the allegations, she has not left the country, and the women's tennis body maintains its stance on not holding tournaments in China. WTA Tour CEO Steve Simon has already made statements about the decision over the past year.

“We’ve made a strong stand, and we stand behind that stance, and we’re not going to compromise our principles,” Simon said during an interview with The New York Times.

“Clearly when we did it, we understood eyes wide open what it could mean.”

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“We’re still in the same place. If they come forward with something else we should look at, of course we are open to it. But we haven’t seen it so far. I’m hopeful we do find a resolution. That’s the goal, to find the right resolution. What’s the truth? Then we can move forward.”

The WTA's decision is regarding 2023, but they do not rule out that it could be a permanent situation.

“We’re not going to continue to do these one-year decisions,” said Simon. “It’s not sustainable. If it looks like we can’t go back to China or aren’t ready to go back, then I do think we will carve out a multiyear situation, because we need to for the business.”