WTA must keep Peng Shuai case in public eye on China return, says human rights advocate
1 year, 3 months ago

WTA must keep Peng Shuai case in public eye on China return, says human rights advocate

The Hindu  

Elite women’s tennis returns to China for the first time in four years at Guangzhou next week after the WTA ended a boycott over concerns about Peng Shuai, but her wellbeing should remain the focus, a senior human rights advocate told Reuters on Friday. The women’s tour had been widely praised for suspending its tournaments in the Asian nation after Peng said in a now deleted 2021 social media post that a senior former Chinese government official had sexually assaulted her. “While it was a huge disappointment that the WTA decided to resume its tournaments in China without reaching a resolution on Peng’s freedom, the case and cause isn’t totally lost,” Yaqiu Wang, China Research Director at Freedom House told Reuters. And as for the WTA, it should keep pressing the case robustly and publicly.” Reuters has contacted the WTA and Chinese Tennis Association for an update on efforts to speak to Peng since the tour’s decision to return to China.

China Chinese Reuters Wta Peng  case  chinese  return  shuai  peng  week  public  human  china  tournaments  rights  wta  sept  womens  eye  pengs

History of this topic

Zheng Qinwen’s Olympic gold: A watershed moment for tennis and China
4 months, 3 weeks ago

Zheng Qinwen’s Olympic gold: A watershed moment for tennis and China

New York Times  

PARIS — It was only a matter of time for Chinese tennis, wasn’t it? In the biggest win on a tennis court for the world’s most populous country since the glory days of Li Na, Zheng Qinwen won the gold medal for China at Roland Garros on Saturday afternoon. Zheng, a 21-year-old rising star, took advantage of an erratic performance …

Looking to smash it
5 months, 3 weeks ago

Looking to smash it

China Daily  

Reigning Olympic champion Chen Yufei is bidding to write her name into history. Chasing history In women's singles, reigning Olympic champion Chen Yufei is bidding to write her name into history, as she aims to become just the second woman of all time to retain her Olympic gold, following in the footsteps of Hall of Famer Zhang Ning, who achieved …

China Open to serve up even more action
8 months, 1 week ago

China Open to serve up even more action

China Daily  

Iga Swiatek in Miami, US, Mar 24, 2024. Already the biggest combined tennis event in Asia, the 2024 edition of the China Open will get bigger and better after organizers announced last week that its women's tournament will be upgraded to a two-week event with 96 draws, up from 64 last year, joining Indian Wells, Miami, Madrid and Rome to …

Yuan maintains China's charge
9 months, 2 weeks ago

Yuan maintains China's charge

China Daily  

China's Yuan Yue poses with the trophy alongside the ballboys and ballgirls of the ATX Open after outlasting fellow Chinese Wang Xiyu 6-4, 7-6 to win her first WTA title on Sunday. ATX OPEN/WTA Yuan Yue hailed the collective resurgence of Chinese women's tennis as a driving force behind her first WTA title win in Austin, Texas on Sunday. A …

Recharged Wang eyes fruitful 2024 after triumphant return
1 year ago

Recharged Wang eyes fruitful 2024 after triumphant return

China Daily  

Chinese tennis legend Li Na was a guest of honor at the CTA Tour SJM Professional Finals in Macao for the third straight year. A two-time Asian Games champion and holder of two WTA singles titles, the 31-year-old quickly got back into the swing of things by winning the CTA Tour Finals' women's singles trophy in Macao last week. Chinese …

US Open Champion Coco Gauff Says 'Questions' Remain Over Peng Shuai Assault Case
1 year, 2 months ago

US Open Champion Coco Gauff Says 'Questions' Remain Over Peng Shuai Assault Case

News 18  

Coco Gauff said Friday there were “still a lot of questions” about the status of Peng Shuai, as international women’s tennis returns to Beijing for the first time since the Chinese star made sexual assault allegations against a top government official. Peng, a former doubles champion, vanished from public view for weeks in late 2021 after she wrote on social …

China Open: Teen star Coco Gauff says ‘questions’ remain over Peng assault case
1 year, 2 months ago

China Open: Teen star Coco Gauff says ‘questions’ remain over Peng assault case

The Hindu  

Coco Gauff said Friday there were “still a lot of questions” about the status of Peng Shuai, as international women’s tennis returns to Beijing for the first time since the Chinese star made sexual assault allegations against a top government official. Peng, a former doubles champion, vanished from public view for weeks in late 2021 after she wrote on social …

China’s Wang Xiyu claims maiden WTA title in Guangzhou after defeating Magda Linette in final
1 year, 3 months ago

China’s Wang Xiyu claims maiden WTA title in Guangzhou after defeating Magda Linette in final

The Hindu  

China’s Wang Xiyu captured her maiden WTA Tour title on Saturday as the world number 88 powered past Magda Linette 6-0, 6-2 in the final of the Guangzhou Open, the first elite women’s tournament in the Asian nation since 2019. A dream becomes reality 🏆⭐️ Xiyu Wang captures her first-ever Hologic WTA Tour title on home soil! I think there’s …

Four years later, professional tennis resumes in China after WTA ends Peng Shuai boycott
1 year, 3 months ago

Four years later, professional tennis resumes in China after WTA ends Peng Shuai boycott

Associated Press  

A four-year absence of elite women’s tennis in China is set to end with the Women’s Tennis Association holding seven tournaments in the next six weeks as part of the tour’s Asian swing. After tournaments in China were cancelled due to COVID-19 travel restrictions in 2020, the WTA suspended events in the country in December 2021 over concerns about Grand …

Revitalized Zheng ready to resume upswing
1 year, 8 months ago

Revitalized Zheng ready to resume upswing

China Daily  

China's Zheng Qinwen returns to Alycia Parks during her first-round victory in Stuttgart on Tuesday. MATHIAS SCHULZ/FOR CHINA DAILY Rising star shakes off setbacks, hails WTA's China return as additional boost With her body healthy again and home tournaments resuming, China's top women's ace Zheng Qinwen is preparing for her latest shot at world No 1 Iga Swiatek with renewed …

WTA ending Peng Shuai-inspired China boycott shows country is key to women's tennis on and off court
1 year, 8 months ago

WTA ending Peng Shuai-inspired China boycott shows country is key to women's tennis on and off court

Firstpost  

The WTA’s decision this week to return to China, despite unresolved questions around the safety of player Peng Shuai, betrays the financial and strategic importance of the country to the tennis organisation, analysts and former players say. Explained: Reasons behind women’s tennis ending China boycott over Peng Shuai But on Thursday it backed down, saying it had concluded “we will …

Women’s tennis tour ends Peng Shuai-inspired China boycott
1 year, 8 months ago

Women’s tennis tour ends Peng Shuai-inspired China boycott

Associated Press  

The women’s professional tennis tour will bring its events back to China later this year, announcing on Thursday the end of a boycott instituted in late 2021 over concerns about the safety of former player Peng Shuai after she accused a high-ranking government official there of sexual assault. WTA Chairman and CEO Steve Simon said in an interview with The …

Women's tennis tour ends Peng Shuai-inspired China boycott
1 year, 8 months ago

Women's tennis tour ends Peng Shuai-inspired China boycott

The Hindu  

The women’s professional tennis tour will bring its events back to China later this year, announcing on April 13 the end of a boycott instituted in late 2021 over concerns about the safety of former player Peng Shuai after she accused a high-ranking government official there of sexual assault. WTA Chairman and CEO Steve Simon said in an interview with …

Explained: Why is women’s tennis China boycott over Peng Shuai ending
1 year, 8 months ago

Explained: Why is women’s tennis China boycott over Peng Shuai ending

The Hindu  

The women’s professional tennis tour is ending its suspension of tournaments in China that was initiated in late 2021 over concerns about Grand Slam doubles champion Peng Shuai’s well-being. FILE PHOTO: Supporters of Chinese tennis player Peng Shuai hold up T-shirts ahead of the women’s final at the Australian Open in Melbourne on Jan. 29, 2022. | Photo Credit: AP …

Why is women’s tennis China boycott over Peng Shuai ending?
1 year, 8 months ago

Why is women’s tennis China boycott over Peng Shuai ending?

Associated Press  

The women’s professional tennis tour is ending its suspension of tournaments in China that was initiated in late 2021 over concerns about Grand Slam doubles champion Peng Shuai’s well-being. The WTA announced Thursday that it will return to competition in China this season, even though two of its key requests were never met: a chance to meet with Peng, and …

WTA to resume tournaments in China following boycott over Peng Shuai’s allegation
1 year, 8 months ago

WTA to resume tournaments in China following boycott over Peng Shuai’s allegation

New York Times  

The Women’s Tennis Association will resume tournaments in China in September after 16 months of suspended competitions following the “censorship” of Chinese tennis star Peng Shuai’s sexual assault allegation against a former government official, the WTA announced Thursday. The WTA said the decision to suspend events in China, including Hong Kong, “received much praise for our principled stand and believe …

WTA must stand firm on Peng and China, says human rights advocate
1 year, 8 months ago

WTA must stand firm on Peng and China, says human rights advocate

The Hindu  

The WTA should stick to its principles and not resume playing tournaments in China until the Peng Shuai issue has been resolved despite the financial impact of its stand, a senior China researcher at Human Rights Watch has urged. Reversing its decision without China meeting its request for a meeting with Peng would open the WTA up to accusations of …

ITF resumes tennis in China with no word on Peng Shuai
1 year, 8 months ago

ITF resumes tennis in China with no word on Peng Shuai

Firstpost  

The ITF, which conducts tournaments below the elite level in its World Tennis Tour, lists its first tournament in China on 5-11 June at Luzhou. Tokyo: The International Tennis Federation will play tournaments this year in China with no word of a resolution to the case of Chinese doubles player Peng Shuai. “The ITF anticipates a resumption of tournament activity …

WTA set to announce long-awaited decision on return to China
1 year, 8 months ago

WTA set to announce long-awaited decision on return to China

The Hindu  

The WTA Tour’s long-awaited decision on its return to China is “forthcoming” and the tournament schedule for the rest of the year is due in the coming weeks, the governing body of women’s tennis told Reuters on Friday. Peng’s post caused an international outcry over her safety and led the WTA to suspend tournaments in China - a decision expected …

WTA says return to China will require resolution to Peng Shuai case
1 year, 11 months ago

WTA says return to China will require resolution to Peng Shuai case

The Hindu  

The return of WTA tournaments to China in 2023 will hinge on a resolution to the Peng Shuai issue, with the governing body of the women’s game telling Reuters on Wednesday it had still not met the Chinese former doubles world number one personally. A provisional 2023 tournament calendar released late last year listed the WTA’s schedule up to September, …

AP Interview: Tennis tour CEO still wants Peng Shuai inquiry
2 years, 1 month ago

AP Interview: Tennis tour CEO still wants Peng Shuai inquiry

Associated Press  

FORT WORTH, Texas — The man in charge of women’s professional tennis, Steve Simon, has been sitting close enough to the action at the season-ending WTA Finals this week — from a seat in front of the front row, as courtside as can be — that a player easily could wander over for a mid-match chat. “Everyone’s looking for stability,” …

WTA Finals moved to Fort Worth, Texas, 'due' to return to China in 2023
2 years, 3 months ago

WTA Finals moved to Fort Worth, Texas, 'due' to return to China in 2023

Firstpost  

A WTA spokeswoman said its tournaments in China remain suspended for 2022 but that events could return next year. New York: The season-ending WTA Finals will take place in Texas next month and are due to return to China in 2023, the WTA said Tuesday. In a statement, the WTA said this year’s championships would take place in Fort Worth …

Wimbledon 2022: Activist removed from Centre Court for Peng Shuai protest
2 years, 5 months ago

Wimbledon 2022: Activist removed from Centre Court for Peng Shuai protest

Firstpost  

Peng is a retired professional tennis player from China who last year accused a former high-ranking member of the country’s ruling Communist Party of sexual assault. London: An activist who shouted “Where is Peng Shuai?” and held up a sign with the same message was removed from Centre Court during the Wimbledon men’s final on Sunday. Why won’t Wimbledon say …

China set to serve up some female aces
2 years, 6 months ago

China set to serve up some female aces

China Daily  

Anyone over 20 and worth their tennis salt remembers where they were that sweltering summer night in early June in the Parisian suburbs when Li Na won the 2011 French Open women's singles championship, becoming the first Asian Grand Slam champion of either gender. But, perhaps, most impressive of late among young Chinese female court maestros is a 19-year old …

ATP to Take Call on 2022 China Events Within a Month, Says Chairman Andrea Gaudenzi
2 years, 6 months ago

ATP to Take Call on 2022 China Events Within a Month, Says Chairman Andrea Gaudenzi

News 18  

The prospects of the Shanghai Masters and three other men’s tournaments taking place in China this year look bleak unless there is a rapid improvement in the COVID-19 situation in the country, ATP Chairman Andrea Gaudenzi has told Reuters. ”We haven’t made a decision but we expect to make a decision in the coming month or so.” The French Open …

Peng Shuai mistakenly included in Rome tournament schedule
2 years, 7 months ago

Peng Shuai mistakenly included in Rome tournament schedule

The Hindu  

The Rome tennis tournament organisers caused surprise on Sunday by including the name of Peng Shuai, the Chinese player at the centre of sexual allegations against a senior politician, on a training schedule. But as media began asking questions in the Italian capital, organisers said they had made a mistake and Peng's name was replaced by her compatriot Zhang Shuai, …

Peng Shuai mistakenly included in Rome tournament schedule
2 years, 7 months ago

Peng Shuai mistakenly included in Rome tournament schedule

Firstpost  

The Rome tennis tournament organisers caused surprise by including Peng Shuai, the Chinese player at the centre of sexual allegations against a senior politician, on a training schedule. Rome: The Rome tennis tournament organisers caused surprise on Sunday by including the name of Peng Shuai, the Chinese player at the centre of sexual allegations against a senior politician, on a …

Peng Shuai watches Gu win Olympic gold in freeski big air
2 years, 10 months ago

Peng Shuai watches Gu win Olympic gold in freeski big air

Associated Press  

BEIJING — Chinese tennis player Peng Shuai sat with International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach and watched American-born Chinese freeskier Eileen Gu win gold at the women’s big air event Tuesday. Peng appeared a day after delivering a controlled interview in Beijing that touched on sexual assault allegations she made against a former high-ranking member of China’s ruling Communist Party. …

Peng Shuai repeats sexual assault denial, meets IOC chief Thomas Bach at Beijing Winter Olympics
2 years, 10 months ago

Peng Shuai repeats sexual assault denial, meets IOC chief Thomas Bach at Beijing Winter Olympics

Firstpost  

The former doubles world number one alleged in a social media post in November that former Chinese vice-premier Zhang Gaoli forced her into sex during a years-long relationship. Beijing: Chinese tennis star Peng Shuai said she never accused anyone of sexual assault, according to an interview published Monday, again walking back an allegation that sparked worldwide concern about her safety. …

Peng Shuai says allegation was ‘misunderstanding’ in interview with French newspaper; plans to retire
2 years, 10 months ago

Peng Shuai says allegation was ‘misunderstanding’ in interview with French newspaper; plans to retire

New York Times  

Chinese tennis player Peng Shuai said global concerns over her well-being were a "misunderstanding" and denied making allegations of sexual assault against former vice premier Zhang Gaoli in a highly controlled interview with French newspaper L'Equipe, her first with an international outlet since making the accusations in a since-deleted social media post in November. Peng told the newspaper that she …

Peng Shuai denies ever making sexual assault claim – with Chinese minder by her side
2 years, 10 months ago

Peng Shuai denies ever making sexual assault claim – with Chinese minder by her side

The Telegraph  

Peng Shuai, the Chinese tennis player of whom nothing was seen or heard for almost three weeks after she accused the country’s former vice-premier of sexual assault, has dramatically rowed back on her allegations, describing reports of her disappearance as a “huge misunderstanding”. In a highly-controlled interview, flanked by the president of the Chinese Olympic Committee and with all questions …

Peng Shuai: Chinese tennis star meets Olympic officials in Beijing
2 years, 10 months ago

Peng Shuai: Chinese tennis star meets Olympic officials in Beijing

CNN  

Hong Kong CNN — Olympic officials met with Chinese tennis superstar Peng Shuai over dinner on Saturday, the International Olympic Committee said – following through on a promise to hold a meeting with the athlete who has been at the center of international concern. Peng also told independent French sport news site L’Equipe in a sit-down interview in Beijing on …

Peng Shuai denies ‘disappearing’ after sex assault claim
2 years, 10 months ago

Peng Shuai denies ‘disappearing’ after sex assault claim

Al Jazeera  

Tennis star also tells French journalists that she did not make assault allegation and is retiring from the sport. Chinese tennis star Peng Shuai has denied she “disappeared” last year after making a claim of sexual assault against a top Chinese official on social media. I talked to them, I answered their emails, I also talked with the WTA.” Peng, …

Peng Shuai, the Chinese tennis star, denies sexual assault by government leader
2 years, 10 months ago

Peng Shuai, the Chinese tennis star, denies sexual assault by government leader

NPR  

Peng Shuai, the Chinese tennis star, denies sexual assault by government leader Enlarge this image toggle caption Paul Crock/AFP via Getty Images Paul Crock/AFP via Getty Images BEIJING – Chinese tennis star Peng Shuai walked back her sexual assault allegations against a powerful Chinese official and said she was retiring from playing tennis competitively in a carefully-managed interview published this …

Head of International Olympic Committee says Peng Shuai can move freely in China
2 years, 10 months ago

Head of International Olympic Committee says Peng Shuai can move freely in China

LA Times  

China’s Peng Shuai serves to Japan’s Nao Hibino during their first-round singles match at the Australian Open in 2020. The president of the International Olympic Committee sought to play down concerns about the safety of Chinese tennis player Peng Shuai on Thursday and said he planned to go ahead with their long-promised dinner during the Beijing Games. IOC President Thomas …

The Olympic chief will meet with Chinese tennis star Peng Shuai after safety concerns
2 years, 10 months ago

The Olympic chief will meet with Chinese tennis star Peng Shuai after safety concerns

NPR  

The Olympic chief will meet with Chinese tennis star Peng Shuai after safety concerns Enlarge this image toggle caption Anne-Christine Poujoulat/AFP via Getty Images Anne-Christine Poujoulat/AFP via Getty Images BEIJING --International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach said he plans to meet Peng Shuai — the Chinese tennis star who accused a former top Community Party official of sexual assault — …

Tennis: Peng Shuai T-shirt campaign resumes at Australian Open
2 years, 10 months ago

Tennis: Peng Shuai T-shirt campaign resumes at Australian Open

Al Jazeera  

The T-shirts highlight concerns about the wellbeing of the Chinese tennis player, who was absent from public view for three weeks last year after she alleged that a former Chinese vice premier sexually assaulted her. Activists made the most of the reversal of an earlier ban by giving away hundreds of T-shirts bearing the question “Where is Peng Shuai?” on …

Where is Peng Shuai? Australian Open T-shirts grab attention
2 years, 10 months ago

Where is Peng Shuai? Australian Open T-shirts grab attention

Associated Press  

MELBOURNE, Australia — Even as he was being ejected from the Australian Open for wearing a white T-shirt with a “Where is Peng Shuai?” slogan in black letters, Max Mok saw an opportunity to amplify the message of concern for the Grand Slam doubles champion and Olympian from China whose well-being has come into question. “We’ve seen members of the …

'Where is Peng Shuai?' shirts welcome at Australian Open
2 years, 10 months ago

'Where is Peng Shuai?' shirts welcome at Australian Open

The Hindu  

Fans are free to wear, "Where is Peng Shuai?" shirts at the Australian Open but they must not become "disruptive", Tennis Australia chief Craig Tiley told Reuters on Tuesday amid criticism of the Grand Slam organisers' earlier stance on the issue. "If they continue to be persistent, they will be removed from the site but if someone wants to wear …

Australian Open makes U-turn on ‘Where is PengShuai?’ shirts
2 years, 10 months ago

Australian Open makes U-turn on ‘Where is PengShuai?’ shirts

Al Jazeera  

Fans free to wear “Where is Peng Shuai?” shirts at the tournament but must not become “disruptive”, organisers say. Fans are free to wear “Where is Peng Shuai?” shirts at the Australian Open but must not become “disruptive”, Tennis Australia chief Craig Tiley said amid criticism of the Grand Slam organisers’ earlier stance on the issue. Former tennis player Martina …

Navratilova says Tennis Australia 'capitulating' to China over Peng
2 years, 10 months ago

Navratilova says Tennis Australia 'capitulating' to China over Peng

The Hindu  

Martina Navratilova said Australian Open organisers had acted "cowardly" by preventing fans from wearing shirts bearing messages of support for Chinese doubles player Peng Shuai at the Grand Slam event. TA's position dismayed 18-times Grand Slam winner Navratilova, who said the national governing body was giving in to China and placing sponsorship money ahead of human rights concerns. Tennis Australia …

Worrying question about Chinese tennis star Peng Shuai which left Ash Barty STUMPED
2 years, 11 months ago

Worrying question about Chinese tennis star Peng Shuai which left Ash Barty STUMPED

Daily Mail  

Australia's Ash Barty says she has 'no idea' if silenced Chinese tennis star Peng Shuai is safe, admitting players have been told very little about her terrifying situation. Chinese tennis star Peng Shuai, 35 is not playing in the Australian Open and it remains unclear if she will ever take the court again Australia's Ash Bary says she has 'no …

Garbine Muguruza fears 'real truth' about Peng Shuai may never be known
2 years, 11 months ago

Garbine Muguruza fears 'real truth' about Peng Shuai may never be known

Firstpost  

There remain doubts about how free Peng really is and having made global headlines for weeks, the outcry about her plight has since died down Melbourne: World number three Garbine Muguruza said Saturday that the “real truth” about what happened to Peng Shuai may never be known after the tennis star accused a senior Chinese politician of sexual assault. However, …

Cornet says still worried about China's Peng Shuai
2 years, 11 months ago

Cornet says still worried about China's Peng Shuai

The Hindu  

France's Alize Cornet said she is still worried about Chinese tennis player Peng Shuai and that she wants more clarity regarding the former doubles world number one's situation. Peng's wellbeing became a matter of concern among the global tennis community and rights groups when she appeared to allege that a former Chinese vice premier, Zhang Gaoli, had sexually assaulted her …

Peng Shuai tells paper she never wrote of being assaulted
3 years ago

Peng Shuai tells paper she never wrote of being assaulted

Associated Press  

BEIJING — Chinese tennis star Peng Shuai has denied saying she was sexually assaulted, despite a November social media post attributed to her that accused a former top Communist Party official of forcing her into sex. Peng dropped out of sight after the accusation against former Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli briefly appeared on her verified Weibo social media before being …

Peng Shuai tells paper she never wrote of being assaulted
3 years ago

Peng Shuai tells paper she never wrote of being assaulted

India TV News  

Highlights Peng wasn't asked if her social media account was hacked into The paper said it interviewed Peng at a promotional event for the Beijing Winter Olympic Games Peng dropped out of site after rape accusation against Gaoli briefly appeared on her Weibo account Chinese tennis player Peng Shuai retracted from her claims of being sexually assaulted by a former …

At appearance in China, tennis star Peng Shuai denies saying she was sexually assaulted
3 years ago

At appearance in China, tennis star Peng Shuai denies saying she was sexually assaulted

LA Times  

Chinese tennis player Peng Shuai reacts to a shot during her first-round match at the Australian Open in January 2020. Chinese tennis star Peng Shuai has denied saying she was sexually assaulted by a former top Communist Party official, despite a November social media post attributed to her that accused him of forcing her into sex. Peng dropped out of …

Peng Shuai: Chinese tennis star denies making sexual assault allegation against Zhang Gaoli, but WTA concerns persist
3 years ago

Peng Shuai: Chinese tennis star denies making sexual assault allegation against Zhang Gaoli, but WTA concerns persist

CNN  

Hong Kong CNN — Chinese tennis star Peng Shuai has denied making sexual assault allegations against a retired Communist Party leader, following more than a month of growing concern about her safety and whereabouts that led to the Women’s Tennis Association pulling out of China. In Sunday’s interview, Peng expressed her appreciation toward the IOC, saying she feels “very grateful” …

Chinese tennis star Peng Shuai denies she made accusation of sexual assault
3 years ago

Chinese tennis star Peng Shuai denies she made accusation of sexual assault

Deccan Chronicle  

BEIJING: Chinese tennis star Peng Shuai said on Sunday that she had never accused anyone of sexually assaulting her, and that a social media post she had made early last month had been misunderstood. "First, I need to stress one point that is extremely important, I have never said or written that anyone has sexually assaulted me, I have to …

Discover Related