WTA to make China return in September, admits boycott over Peng Shuai claims ‘did not work’
- Governing body says any continued ban will only hurt ‘players and tournaments’
- Hong Kong Open could return to schedule in 2023 as a result of WTA’s decision
Professional women’s tennis tournaments will resume in China in September after a 16-month boycott over concerns for the safety of Chinese player Peng Shuai, the WTA announced on Thursday.
Officials admitted their stance had not worked and continuing the ban would only hurt players and the tournaments which were regularly held in China before the coronavirus pandemic.
Peng, a former doubles world No 1, has not been seen outside the country since first making, and then withdrawing, accusations of sexual assault against a high-ranking official.
“In 2021, when Chinese tennis player Peng Shuai bravely came forward, the WTA took a stance and suspended its operation of events in China out of concern for her safety and the safety of our players and staff,” the association said.
“After 16 months of suspended tennis competition in China and sustained efforts at achieving our original requests, the situation has shown no sign of changing.
“We have concluded we will never fully secure those goals, and it will be our players and tournaments who ultimately will be paying an extraordinary price for their sacrifices.
“For these reasons, the WTA is lifting its suspension of the operation of tournaments in the People’s Republic of China and will resume tournaments in China this September.”
