WTA not returning to China in 2022, wants resolution to Peng Shuai case

The Women's Tennis Association (WTA) is still working to find a resolution to the standoff with China over the Peng Shuai issue but will not return to the country this year, Tour chief Steve Simon said.

Former doubles world number one Peng's wellbeing became a concern for the WTA after she posted a message on social media last November accusing China's former Vice-Premier Zhang Gaoli of sexual assault.

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

The following month, the WTA suspended all of its tournaments in China, a decision expected to cost the elite women's tour hundreds of millions of dollars in broadcasting and sponsorship.

"We remain dedicated to finding a resolution to this," Simon told The Tennis Podcast.

"We want to find a resolution that Peng can be comfortable with, the Chinese government can be comfortable with, and we can be comfortable with.

"We are not about walking away from China. We have suspended our operations there right now. We will continue to do that until we get to a resolution.

"We will stay resolute. We do hope to be back there in 2023 with the resolution that shows progress was made in the space. That's a victory for the world if we can accomplish that."

Peng, who had already effectively retired from professional tennis, made an appearance at the Winter Olympics in Beijing in February and denied she had accused anyone of sexual assault, adding that she herself had deleted the social media post.

The WTA, however, stuck to its demand for a formal investigation into Peng's allegations and an opportunity to meet with her privately to discuss the situation.

"We have not had any recent communication with Peng and the world has not seen Peng since the Olympics