Beijing: China on Thursday condemned the WTA’s decision to halt all tournaments in China amid concerns over the disappearance of former Grand Slam doubles champion Peng Shuai, saying it is against all action that politicizes the Games.
Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) President and CEO Steve Simone said no tournament would be held in China and Hong Kong due to no satisfactory response to Peng’s well-being. Xuan accused the country’s former deputy prime minister, Zhang Gaoli, of sexual harassment. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said in a media briefing, “We have already presented our side. We are against every move that politicizes sports.”
The WTA alleged that Shuai was not being allowed to speak freely and was being pressured to withdraw his charges. The Chinese Tennis Association has opposed the WTA’s decision, calling it one-sided. It said, “This unilateral decision of the WTA in the name of protecting the players has been taken on the basis of fictitious information. Will be able to.”
