WTA to resume tournaments in China this year, end boycott over Peng allegations

:The Women's Tennis Association will resume operations in China this year, it said on Thursday, citing the "extraordinary price" on players as reason for reversing a decision taken over concerns for the safety of former doubles number one Peng Shuai.

The WTA had received widespread praise for suspending its tournaments in the country after Peng said in a now deleted 2021 social media post that a senior former Chinese government official had sexually assaulted her.

Peng then briefly disappeared from public view and later denied making the accusation, sparking fears for her safety.

"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 governing body of women's tennis said in a statement.

"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.

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

China's State Council Information office and the Chinese Tennis Association did not immediately respond to Reuters requests for comment outside of normal business hours.

FINANCIAL LOSSES

Peng's post caused an international outcry over her safety and the WTA's decision to suspend events in China was expected to have cost the tour hundreds of millions of dollars in broadcasting and sponsorship.

The decision of the WTA - which has endured eight-figure losses in 2020 and 2021 but not as much last year - comes as men's tennis also prepares to return to China later in 2023 after a break due to