While women's tennis, through the WTA, has clearly embarked on a standoff with Beijing with the threat of suspending all its tournaments in China because of the Peng Shuai affair, the governing body of the men's circuit remains more measured and rejects a boycott of China, where the Masters 1000 in Shanghai and two ATP 500s are being held in the fall, which have not quarreled for two years due to the covid-19 pandemic. In a statement, ATP president Andrea Gaudenzi, who does not quote China once, is quite cautious. "
We continue to discuss with our members and to follow the developments of this matter
(..) N
We renew our urgent call for the opening of a direct line of communication between the player and the WTA in order to establish a clearer picture of her situation. The situation regarding Peng Shuai continues to raise concerns within and outside of our sport. The response to these concerns has so far been insufficient
”. And, unlike the WTA which says it will boycott China until the Peng Shuai case is resolved, Gaudenzi says a "
worldwide presence gives a better chance for results
." Business is business ...
Several big names in men's tennis, including world number one Novak Djokovic, have supported the WTA initiative. Same story with his runner-up Daniil Medvedev at a press conference after Russia's qualification for the Davis Cup semi-finals: “
If a tournament was played
(in China)
next week, probably nobody would be there. easy. But the next tournament is in the fall, let's see how things go
. ” No tenor has, however, yet publicly blamed ATP's timid response.
“I won't criticize ATP for what it does or doesn't do. What is clear is that what Steve Simon has done is very daring,
”Medvedev nevertheless reacted. "
Second knives
Of the circuit, they did not take gloves to criticize the body of men's tennis.
The American Tennys Sandgren, 96th in the world, demanded on Twitter the departure of its president, the Italian Andrea Gaudenzi with the hashtag: "
FireGaudenzi
".
“
It's important to understand that as players we are completely handcuffed in our ability to act as a collective, and that our leadership on the part of the ATP team is rubbish.
"
His compatriot, the 26th World Reilly Opelka, sarcastic cowardly "
POWERFUL
" and adds: "
I was particularly moved by the part where he said 'we will follow the evolution of this matter.'
"
Former world number one Andy Roddick - yet another American is also ironic. "
How to say a lot and nothing at the same time ...
" The living legend Martina Navratilova, for her part, said she was "
embarrassed
" and wondered. "
Are we to understand that ATP would have made the same statement if the player had been a man?" A professional ATP player? !? In a way, I don't think so.
"
Like the IOC, also criticized for its moderation and accused of complacency when the Winter Olympics are due to open in two months in Beijing, the ATP is expected in the turning point in this affair which is shaking the sporting world .
As a reminder, no proof of his freedom of speech and movement of the former number one of double Peng Shuai has not been advanced for a month.
The 35-year-old Chinese player accused a former Chinese vice-premier of rape in early November, before disappearing and then reappearing, through publications controlled by the Chinese state.