The Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) has announced its decision to end a suspension on tournaments in China, a move expected to boost the tour’s revenue and expand competition opportunities for players. The decision comes amid ongoing concerns for Chinese tennis star Peng Shuai’s safety, following her accusations in 2021 against a high-ranking Chinese official.
Balancing Business Needs with Safety Concerns
Former player and current captain of Britain’s Billie Jean King Cup team, Anne Keothavong, expressed mixed feelings about the WTA’s return to China. She emphasized the need for the WTA to generate income, noting, “Tennis is a business. Players need a circuit and the WTA needs commercial revenue.” However, she also voiced continued hope for Peng Shuai’s well-being, as Peng has only appeared in limited public settings since making her allegations, including a monitored interview with L’Equipe during the Beijing Winter Olympics.
The WTA had suspended its China operations to demand a full investigation and a private meeting with Peng. However, after 16 months without progress, the organization opted to resume tournaments, acknowledging the “situation showed no sign of changing.”
Chinese and Global Responses
China’s Foreign Ministry commented on the WTA’s decision, with spokesman Wang Wenbin asserting that sports should remain free from political influences. Meanwhile, the Chinese Tennis Association and other officials did not provide additional statements on the matter.
British tennis player Katie Boulter expressed optimism about the increased tournament opportunities in China, noting the excitement among players for the added competitions. Before the pandemic, China hosted nine WTA events in 2019 with a combined prize pool of $30.4 million, making it a key market for women’s tennis. The pandemic had strained the WTA financially, leading to substantial losses, which the China market could help offset.
Advocates Call for Continued Focus on Peng Shuai
While the WTA’s return to China may stabilize its finances, it has drawn criticism from human rights organizations. Yaqiu Wang, a senior researcher at Human Rights Watch, described the decision as a “huge disappointment” and urged the WTA to keep Peng Shuai’s case in the public eye, emphasizing the importance of athlete safety and human rights.
With the provisional 2023 tournament calendar expected to be updated soon, players and fans are hopeful that the return to China will not only revitalize the WTA financially but also maintain awareness of ongoing issues within sports and human rights.
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