The Chinese reaction was expected and it will not surprise anyone: Beijing accused Thursday the body which manages the women's world tennis circuit of "politicization of sport", after the decision of the WTA to suspend the tournaments in China in support of the player tennis court Peng Shuai.
"We are firmly opposed to any politicization of sport," Chinese diplomacy spokesman Wang Wenbin told reporters.
A few hours earlier, the tennis world had decided to continue defending Peng Shuai.
WTA President Steve Simon had announced "the suspension of tournaments in China" because of the affair surrounding the Chinese player, according to a statement from the body which manages the women's tennis circuit.
“I am announcing the immediate suspension of all WTA tournaments in China, including Hong Kong.
In good conscience, I don't see how I can ask our athletes to participate in tournaments when Peng Shuai is not allowed to communicate freely and has apparently been pressured to reverse his claims of sexual abuse, ”wrote Steve Simon in a statement.
"In view of the current situation of the case, I am also very worried about the risks that all our players and our staff would take if we organize tournaments in China in 2022", he adds.
No WTA tournament was scheduled until the end of the year and the 2022 schedule has yet to be released.
During the 2019 season, the last not to have been impacted by the Covid-19, 10 tournaments were organized in China, including the end-of-year women's Masters which, with $ 14 million, had been better endowed financially. than their male counterpart.
“The WTA will do everything possible to protect its players.
Along with us, I hope that the leaders of the world will continue to stand up for justice for Peng, and all women, regardless of the financial consequences.
".
