Written By The Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) has recently announced its intention to return to China next year, despite the ongoing controversy surrounding Chinese tennis star Peng Shuai. The move has raised concerns about the safety and well-being of players, as well as the ethics of doing business with China’s authoritarian government.
The controversy began in early November when Peng accused a former top Chinese government official of sexually assaulting her. Peng’s allegations were quickly censored on Chinese social media platforms, and she disappeared from public view for several weeks. In mid-November, the WTA and other tennis organizations began to express concern about Peng’s safety and well-being, calling for a full investigation into her allegations and demanding proof of her safety.
After several weeks of silence, Peng reemerged in late November with a message on social media stating that she was safe and with her family. However, many in the tennis world remain skeptical of her well-being, as her message did not address the allegations of sexual assault or the censorship of her story.
Despite these concerns, the WTA has announced plans to hold events in China next year, including the WTA Finals, which are scheduled to take place in Shenzhen in November 2022. The decision has been met with mixed reactions from players and fans alike.
On one hand, some players have expressed reservations about returning to China given the ongoing controversy surrounding Peng’s case. “I think we need to take a step back and really consider the implications of doing business with a country that is willing to silence its citizens and suppress human rights,” said one anonymous player.
Others, however, have defended the WTA’s decision, arguing that it is important to continue to engage with China and work towards positive change. “I think it’s important to remember that the people of China are not the government,” said another anonymous player. “We should be working to build bridges and promote understanding, not cutting ourselves off from the world.”
The controversy surrounding Peng Shuai and the WTA’s plans to return to China highlight the difficult ethical and political considerations that come with doing business in authoritarian countries. While some argue that engagement and dialogue are necessary to effect change, others caution against normalizing regimes that violate basic human rights. As the tennis world grapples with these issues, the safety and well-being of players like Peng remain uncertain.
