WTA remains firm with concern for Peng Shuai's safety - "We do not give up our principles for this"
WTA
Following her sudden disappearance and sudden re-emergence last November, Chinese tennis player Peng Shuai has kept a low profile but that hasn't deterred the WTA from remaining concerned about her safety.
The two-time doubles Grand Slam titlist made allegations of sexual harassment against a former vice president of the Communist Party, Zhang Gaoli, before disappearing for a few weeks. Shuai eventually resurfaced, with the entire tennis world worried about her whereabouts.
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Although the 36-year old made a public appearance at the Beijing Winter Olympic Games in February, there has been complete silence regarding her situation ever since.
International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach had revealed to the French newspaper L'Equipe that he had invited her to Lausanne, the seat of the committee, only to be declined by Peng who wanted to postpone her visit.
"She had to quarantine herself for twenty-one days to be able to meet me at the Games, rather than undergo another similar period she preferred to wait a bit," he said.
Amelie Mauresmo, director of the Roland Garros, also revealed that she had tried, in vain, to invite her to the Porte d'Auteuil this year.
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Nonetheless, the WTA revealed through a spokesperson that they have not had the opportunity to speak with her since the Winter Olympics.
"It was nice to see her in public during the Olympics but this has not diminished our concern after the message of last November 2nd," the spokesperson said. "Peng was courageous in publicly indicating that she was assaulted by a top Chinese government politician. As with all players in similar cases, we requested an investigation and a chance to meet Peng privately. And we remain firm on our positions.
"We continue to work so that we can return to play in China in 2023, but we do not give up our principles for this."
Growing up in a household where soccer was king, my earliest memories are filled with chants from packed stadiums and the rhythm of a ball being passed across neighborhood streets. But somewhere along the way, the quiet elegance and raw emotion of tennis pulled me in. What began as a curiosity became a lifelong passion; not just for the sport itself, but for the stories it tells: of grit, of heartbreak, of improbable comebacks and human resilience.
As a tennis writer, I bring the observational lens of someone who didn’t grow up in the sport, but fell in love with it as an outsider; a perspective that lets me see both its technical beauty and its emotional depth. Over the years working with TennisUpToDate, I’ve had the privilege of reaching more than 3.5 million readers worldwide, with one of my features ranking among the site’s top three articles.
With a background in storytelling and a creative mind always searching for meaning beyond the scoreboard, I aim to craft narratives that go deeper than results and rankings. Whether it’s a rising star breaking through or a veteran fighting off Father Time, I try to capture the heartbeat behind the headlines.
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- Can't help but suspect Vukov is back to his old self again. Thank you, WTA. Perhaps you can give them a "Battling Couple of the Year Award 2026" ??
mandoist08-11-2026 - Wtf? Why is there no reason? And what about the men's?Bel08-11-2026
- One step by another step -- WTA continues to 'lose the plot'. Too many hi-tech microphones being installed at most venues!!! Remove them (especially those along the hallways, sidewalks, and pathways throughout the venues. Not to mention (most of all) remove the mic's from the Players/Coaches Box.
mandoist06-11-2026 - Enough of her bullshit. Go marry someone.
mandoist06-11-2026 - Don't you just love this young lady!? We fans often expect athletes to be supermen and superwomen, often forgetting that they WILL GET TIRED! I love Alex's perspective. Tiredness for an athlete should never be viewed as a negative, especially if you are healthy, taking care of your body and mental health and putting in the work. What a mature perspective. Good for you, Alex!Rapunzel05-11-2026
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mandoist05-11-2026 - Okay... someone with a camera was EAVESDROPPING on a private conversation. Shouldn't that be the point of discussion here? Regardless of the sensationalist crap by media, Pegula (and anyone) has a right to an opinion. There used to be an expectation that private conversations were respected, regardless of 'stardom' and whatever other defensive excuses media tries to shove in our faces. Boo-hoo if feelings are hurt. BTW: Having been employed at various tourney venues, etc., I can't tell you how nasty and offensive players can be when discussing their opponents and colleagues... in "private". Well, I could, but won't. I also challenge anyone to deny what Jessica said is false.
mandoist05-11-2026 - Vacherot is Mongasque, rather than Swiss. The tournament was Swiss :DTrwd7702-11-2026
- After a couple decades traveling to IIHF tourneys overseas... our family is done with it... and I will not be the only one!! Bad enough the NHL allows Ovachenko (a Putin Supporter and Campaigner) to live and play in the USA. Let's not forget the STATE SPONSORED RUSSIAN DOPING PROGRAMS still in effect today.
mandoist31-10-2026









