WTA lifts boycott in China first inspired by Peng Shuai concerns, citing 'no sign of changing'

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The Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) ended its boycott in China more than a year after taking a stand in response to concerns about the safety of two-time doubles Grand Slam champion Peng Shuai. 

In 2021, 37-year-old Peng made a social media post accusing a high-ranking government official in the ruling Chinese Communist Party of forcing her to have sex. She went missing for several weeks before later recanting her accusation and making what many perceived to be a choreographed appearance at the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing. 

China's Peng Shuai, wearing a face mask, watches an event. (Reuters/Fabrizio Bensch )

The WTA responded to concerns about Peng’s safety by suspending its operations in China, but after 16 months and "no sign of changing," the tour announced Thursday that it would be moving forward. 

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"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 said in a press release. "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."

Supporters of Chinese tennis player Peng Shuai attend the women's final at the Australian Open in Melbourne, Jan. 29, 2022. (AP Photo/Hamish Blair)

"For these reasons, the WTA is lifting its suspension of the operation of tournaments in the People’s Republic of China (‘PRC’) and will resume tournaments in China this September."

The WTA had aimed at conducting a full