ATP Tour to play events in China this year

The ATP Tour will host four events in China this year, unlike the WTA Tour which has suspended tournament in the country due to concerns over the treatment of former doubles world No1. Peng Shuai and the safety of other players.

The ATP's Chengdu Open, Zhuhai Championships, China Open and the marquee Shanghai Masters will be played between September and October -- with the men's tour returning to the country for the first time since the start of the coronavirus pandemic.

"The ATP continues to take a fluid approach to the calendar and the schedule remains subject to change," the tour said in a statement as it released its calendar for the second half of 2022.

In December, the WTA said it would suspend events in China, a decision applauded by many in the tennis community that could cost the women's tour hundreds of millions of dollars in broadcasting and sponsorship.

Peng's well-being became a matter of global concern after she appeared to allege on social media in November that a former Chinese vice premier, Zhang Gaoli, had sexually assaulted her.

The post was quickly removed and Peng disappeared from public view for nearly three weeks.

Peng, who appeared briefly at this month's Beijing Winter Olympics, has denied that she accused anyone of sexual assault.

The ATP 250 event in the Russian city of St Petersburg has been moved to Nur-Sultan in Kazakhstan.

Russian President Vladimir Putin granted official recognition to two separatist regions in eastern Ukraine on Monday, triggering Western condemnation and fuelling fears of a military confrontation in the region.