Peng Shuai case: WTA confirms - No tournaments in China 2022

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Peng Shuai at the 2017 China Open

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Andy Wong/AP

The WTA tennis organization will definitely not be holding any more tournaments in China this year.

Speaking to The Tennis Podcast, WTA boss Steve Simon confirmed a decision the women's tour made last year over the case of former Chinese star Peng Shuai.

However, Simon said he hopes to return to China next year.

»We are not withdrawing from China completely.

We have currently suspended our business relationships there and we will continue to do so until we find a solution,” said Simon.

'We will remain resolute.

We hope to be back in 2023 if there is a solution by then,” said Simon.

"We want to find a solution that Peng is comfortable with, that the Chinese government can live with, and that we agree with."

Peng accused a senior Chinese politician of sexual abuse on the social network Weibo in November.

The post was deleted soon after.

The state censorship had also blocked any debate on the Chinese Internet about it.

Since then, athletes, politicians and human rights activists have expressed their concern.

Peng later denied making the allegations.

WTA boss Simon insists on the possibility of an independent discussion with Peng.

The Chinese market is very important for women's tennis for financial reasons.

Among other things, the WTA Finals recently took place in Shenzhen.

Simon had therefore received a lot of international recognition for his consistent step.

sak/dpa/Reuters