WTA Makes U-Turn on China Boycott

Peng's safety has not been independently verified

Now that Covid-19 restrictions have been lifted in China, professional tennis is back on in the country.

Sixteen months ago, the WTA or Women's Tennis Association said it would stop all professional tennis tournaments in China until it got assurances about star player Peng Shuai's safety.

Many praised the association for its strong stance, as other groups, like the NBA, Fifa and the International Olympic Committee wavered because they wanted to be in China for money.

She accused Zhang (above) of sexual assault

But like everyone else, the WTA caved in.

On Thursday the association released a statement announcing the resumption of professional women's tennis tournaments in September. For Hong Kong fans, the WTA Tour will be held in Victoria Park in October.

This was good news for Hong Kong Tennis Association president Philip Mok Kwan-yet, who welcomed the announcement, but "did not agree" with the WTA's 16-month boycott of China.

"We support this decision [to lift the suspension]," he said. "Together with the lifting of all Covid-19 restrictions, fans can once again enjoy world class professional tennis.

"Restarting this mega sport event will also help Hong Kong to fully regain its vibrancy and re-establish ourselves as a major international hub."

The WTA suspended tennis competition in China in 2021 when Peng, a former doubles world No. 1 from China, made accusations that former Chinese vice-premier Zhang Gaoli pressured her to have sex with him.

Peng at a tightly choreographed event

Peng, 37, later withdrew her accusations on two occasions, and during an interview at the Winter Olympics, described the situation as a "huge misunderstanding" but did not further clarify. She was seen in public, but it seemed like the events were tightly controlled, and no media can contact her directly.

In Thursday's statement, the WTA said it had received assurances that players and staff operating in China would be "safe and protected".

WTA president and chief executive Steve Simon said the association had dropped its demands.

"We've been in this for 16 months and we are convinced that at this point our requests will not be met. To continue with the same strategy doesn't make sense and a different approach is needed. Hopefully, by returning more progress can be made," he told BBC Sport.

But human rights groups are disappointed by the association's U-turn. 

Kai Ong, China researcher for Amnesty International, said Peng's freedom and safety had yet to be independently verified. 

Will people continue to wear these T-shirts?

"Returning to China without continuing to push for an independent investigation into Peng's accusations risks perpetuating the systemic injustice faced by sexual violence survivors in the country."

Meanwhile Wang Yaqiu, senior researcher at Human Rights Watch said: "The WTA deserves credit for its initial stance, which was an act of courage, but the decision to move ahead with the tournament will be a huge disappointment for the Chinese human rights community. It is not surprising though, given the money at stake and the record of other international businesses in China."

China sports commentator Mark Dreyer says it's disingenuous for the WTA to say it suspended tournaments because of the Peng Shuai issue when in fact the country's extreme Covid-19 restrictions made it impossible to hold tournaments during that boycott period as hardly any foreigners could get into the country.

So... while the players will be excited to play in China, the WTA is going to be criticised for selling out... 

Wonder if people will continue to wear "Where is Peng Shuai?" T-shirts?