WTA ending boycott of China without resolution in Peng Shuai’s case

For the very first time given that 2021, the Women’s Tennis Association will go back to China later on this year. The WTA has actually been boycotting occasions in China given that previous No. 1 gamer Peng Shuai implicated China’s previous vice premier, Zhang Gaoli, of sexual attack. The WTA revealed its choice on Thursday and stated that, regardless of China not fulfilling its demands, it will go back to the nation for competitions in September.

“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,” the WTA stated in its statement. “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 factors, the WTA is raising its suspension of the operation of competitions in the People’s Republic of China (“PRC”) and will resume competitions in China this September.”

Shaui’s allegations of sexual attack were never ever examined, and Zhang did not get any discipline for his supposed actions. The WTA did state that Shaui was safe at her house in Beijing, and it has actually been ensured that WTA gamers and personnel will be secured while operating in China.

“We have not been able to achieve everything we set out for, but we have been in touch with people close to Peng and are assured she is living safely with her family in Beijing,” the WTA stated. “We also have received assurances that WTA players and staff operating in China will be safe and protected while in the country. The WTA takes this commitment seriously and will hold all parties responsible.”

The WTA likewise stated that, by boycotting occasions in China for the last 16 months, it “forfeited our ability to provide women in the region with opportunities to advance professionally through tennis.”

This choice comes simply a couple of months after the WTA stated it would need a resolution for Shuai’s case prior to going back to China.