WTA Says It Will Withdraw from China if Peng Shuai's Whereabouts Remain Unconfirmed

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] As the whereabouts of Chinese tennis star Peng Shuai, who accused a former Chinese vice premier of sexual assault, remain unknown for over two weeks, Steve Simon, chairman of the Women's Tennis Association (WTA), has warned that the WTA will withdraw its business from China if a proper investigation is not conducted.

In an interview with CNN on the 18th (local time), Chairman Simon stated, "If Peng Shuai's safety is not confirmed and the sexual assault allegations are not properly investigated, we will suspend our business in China even if it means incurring losses worth hundreds of millions of dollars." He added, "(Peng Shuai's safety) is more important than business," and said, "Women deserve respect, not censorship."

Peng Shuai, who reached the world No. 1 ranking in doubles on the 2014 WTA Tour, revealed on China's social networking service Weibo on the 2nd that she was sexually assaulted by former Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli, who served as Tianjin Party Secretary from 2007 to 2012. Zhang Gaoli was vice premier during President Xi Jinping's first term in office.

However, after Peng Shuai's Weibo account was shut down and her whereabouts became unknown, concerns arose within and beyond the global tennis community. Amid this, an email Peng Shuai sent to the WTA on the same day stirred further controversy.

In the email, Peng Shuai claimed, "I am resting at home without any problems. The sexual assault allegations are not true." Chairman Simon responded, "It is hard to believe that Peng Shuai actually wrote that email. Our concerns about her safety and whereabouts have increased," issuing an official statement.

Recently, top-ranked players such as Novak Djokovic and Naomi Osaka have expressed messages of concern for Peng Shuai's safety, and "tennis queen" Serena Williams also spoke out on the day. Williams said, "I was shocked by the news about Peng Shuai," adding, "I hope she returns safely and that an investigation related to this matter proceeds. We must not remain silent."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.