My Take | WTA has faced reality even if the truth about Peng Shuai is yet to emerge

The suspension of top-level women’s tennis in China, amid an international outcry about the fate of doubles champion Peng Shuai, was widely seen as a courageous move when imposed in 2021. Peng, one of China’s best known players, had made allegations of sexual abuse against a former top government official on social media.

Last week, the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA), which organises events around the world, announced the ban it imposed will be lifted and tournaments will resume in China in September. This is good news for the sport, including Hong Kong which can now proceed with the city’s flagship open tournament.

But more than a year after Peng made her allegations, the truth is yet to emerge. Her long Weibo post in November 2021 alleged the official, former vice-premier Zhang Gaoli, sexually abused her during a long relationship. Peng later denied she had accused anyone of sexual assault and said there had been a “huge misunderstanding”.

The response in China to her initial allegations raised further concerns. Her post was deleted after 30 minutes and she disappeared from public view. The WTA was not able to contact her. But screenshots of her allegations circulated widely on social media outside China. The question: “Where is Peng Shuai?” became a rallying cry.

The timing of the controversy could not have been worse for China, just before the Beijing Winter Olympics. The clamour for an investigation into Peng’s allegations, information about her whereabouts, and an opportunity for the player to speak freely grew. The United Nations, the European Union, United States, and Britain all expressed concern, as did past and present tennis greats, from Billie Jean King to Novak Djokovic.

Ham-fisted attempts by the authorities to assure the world all was well only made matters worse. The posting of happy snaps of the star by state media and a video of her dining in a Beijing restaurant were unconvincing and looked staged.