Pressure is mounting on the ATP and other major sports authorities to follow the WTA‘s lead in suspending all Chinese tournaments amid the disappearance and suppression of Peng Shuai.
The former grand slam doubles champion disappeared from public view after raising allegations of sexual assault against former vice-premier Zhang Gaoli on social media on November 2. Chinese authorities quickly removed the post.
The continued defiance of the Chinese government has today prompted WTA chairman and chief executive Steve Simon to announce in a statement that all events in the country would cease.
READ MORE: WTA suspends China events over Peng Shuai safety concerns
“While we now know where Peng is, I have serious doubts that she is free, safe and not subject to censorship, coercion and intimidation,” the WTA statement reads.
The WTA’s stance has led to an outpouring of praise from a host of notable figures and calls for the ATP, International Olympic Committee and FIFA to take the same action. The spotlight is now shining brightly on the Winter Olympics, being hosted by Beijing in February 2022.
Sharing the WTA’s statement on Twitter, former Soceroos captain Craig Foster tagged the IOC and FIFA and wrote, “It can be done”.
https://twitter.com/Craig_Foster/status/1466145285772480514?s=20
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Former 18-time major champion Martina Navratilova posted: “This is a brave stance by Steve Simon and the WTA where we put principle above $ and stand up for women everywhere and particularly for Peng Shuai. Now – what say you, @IOC ?!? #IOC – so far I can barely hear you!!!”.
https://twitter.com/Martina/status/1466144317345517571?s=20
“I am beyond proud of the WTA for taking this stand,” wrote American world No.96 Tennys Sandgren.
“Yo men, let’s back the ladies up huh? We gonna sit this one out or what?”
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https://twitter.com/TennysSandgren/status/1466130930091925508?s=20https://twitter.com/KAndersonATP/status/1466186133948317700?s=20https://twitter.com/rennaestubbs/status/1466135673669365769?s=20https://twitter.com/geniebouchard/status/1466227533079367685?s=20https://twitter.com/BillieJeanKing/status/1466144144783462404?s=20https://twitter.com/andyroddick/status/1466131410327064578?s=20https://twitter.com/alizecornet/status/1466135219006844928?s=20