Peng Shuai situation: ATP criticized for not being able to postpone tournaments in China due to safety concerns

ATP, the governing body of men’s professional tennis, is facing criticism for not complying Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) takes the lead and pauses tournaments in China. The WTA did so in response to its treatment of Chinese tennis player Peng Shuai.

The WTA said on Wednesday that it was concerned about the risk to players and staff if tournaments were to go ahead as scheduled in China – so it came to the conclusion that it would suspend events there. unlimited. However, the ATP said it believes “a global presence gives us the best opportunity to make an impact.”

“The situation involving Peng Shuai continues to raise serious concerns inside and outside of our sports arena,” ATP President Andrea Gaudenzi said on Thursday, according to ESPN. “Responses to those concerns have so far been lacking. We are again calling for an open line of direct communication between the player and the WTA to establish a clearer picture of her situation. it.”

Several prominent tennis figures have publicly spoken out against the ATP’s current stance on the Peng situation.

Martina Navratilova, an 18-time Grand Slam champion, wrote on Twitter, “Do we understand that the ATP would make the same statement if the player was a male? Somehow I think not.”

Andy Roddick, who was once ranked as the top men’s tennis player in the world, said ATP’s statement shows, “How to say many words and say nothing.”

Concerns for Peng Shuai’s safety emerged after she accused a top Chinese official of sexual assault on November 2 and then disappeared from the public eye for three weeks.

Although the International Olympic Committee is said to have spoken to Peng on a recent video call, the WTA still has “serious doubts” that she is “free” and “safe” in China.

“While we now know where Peng is, I really doubt that she is free, safe and free from censorship, coercion and threats,” WTA CEO Steve Simon wrote in a statement. “The WTA has been clear about what is needed here, and we reiterate our call for a full and transparent investigation – without censorship – into the sexual assault allegation by Peng Shuai.