Peng Shuai case: World tennis federation continues tournaments in China

Enlarge image

Peng Shuai

Photo: Kim Hong-Ji / REUTERS

In contrast to the WTA women's tour, the international tennis association ITF does not want to withdraw from China with its tournaments for the time being due to the case of Peng Shuai.

The ITF's junior and senior tournaments should initially continue in the country, ITF President David Haggerty announced to the BBC: "We do not want to punish a billion people," he said in explanation.

Peng Shuai, the former world number one in doubles, published the allegation of sexual assault by a top Chinese politician on the Weibo social network in early November.

The entry was deleted soon after, and she herself was not seen for three weeks.

Since then, representatives from sport and politics as well as human rights activists have expressed concern for the well-being of the tennis player.

The WTA then suspended all tournaments in China and Hong Kong, although China is an important donor.

"I don't see how I can ask our athletes to compete there when Peng Shuai is not allowed to communicate freely and has apparently been pressured to refute their allegations of sexual assault," said WTA chairman Steve Simon in a statement.

China, on the other hand, had spoken of "malicious allegations".

The European Union (EU) later stepped in and asked China to provide "verifiable evidence" of the tennis player's whereabouts and well-being.

"As the umbrella organization in tennis, we support all women's rights," ITF President Haggerty told the BBC.

"The allegations need to be investigated," he added.

But it must also be remembered that the ITF is responsible for development at the grassroots level.

After the ITF decision, the WTA remains the only organization that canceled tournaments in China.

The men's tour ATP had not joined the boycott.

The International Olympic Committee was particularly criticized.

The IOC had announced that President Thomas Bach had had a video call with Peng Shuai.

She said she was safe.

It remained open whether her allegations or possible pressure from Chinese authorities on the 35-year-old were addressed.

According to the IOC, she said she was living well in her Beijing home and that her privacy should be respected.

The athletes' association Global Athlete accused the IOC of being "complicit in the malicious propaganda of the Chinese authorities and their lack of interest in basic human rights and justice."

The Winter Olympics will be held in Beijing next February.

mon / dpa