WTA to resume events in China after ending boycott over Peng Shuai sexual assault allegations

The WTA is to resume events in China as it brings an end to its boycott of the country over the sexual assault allegations in relation to Peng Shuai. Peng, now retired but formerly a world No. 14 and a former US Open semi-finalist, said in November 2021 that she had been «forced» into sexual relations with China's former vice president Zhang Gaoli.

Ad That led the WTA to demand an investigation into the claims, and that it would only return to the country if this condition could be met. ATP ShanghaiATP scrap China tournaments from calendar due to ongoing Covid-19 restrictions21/07/2022 AT 12:52 However, Simon now says he accepts there will be no investigation by the Chinese government and the WTA will return to China later this year, with the season-ending Tour Finals to take place once again in Shenzhen, as they did for the first time in 2019 as part of a 10-year agreement. Simon also requested at the time that Peng's safety be confirmed after she briefly disappeared from public life, and he shared some apparent progress on this point.

«We've been in this for 16 months and we are convinced that at this point our requests will not be met,» Simon told BBC Sport. «To continue with the same strategy doesn't make sense and a different approach is needed. Hopefully, by returning more progress can be made.

Nadal and Djokovic 'have something in their brain not typical of humans' — Norman When is Swiatek playing next? Will she return in Stuttgart? »We've achieved some assurances from people that are close to Peng that she's safe and living with her family in Beijing. «We do also have some assurances that there won't be any issues with our players and staff while they are competing in China. And hopefully we have received some