United States: The Women’s Tennis Association has stated that it wants to meet Ms. Peng Shuai in person before the association resumes tournaments in China.

In 2022, the former tennis star accused a top Chinese official of sexual assault in a social media post.

Ms. Peng then disappeared from the public eye and later denied making the allegations. The association further called for a “formal investigation” into the accusations.

In a statement, the WTA remarked that it would not “compromise its founding principles to operate events in China.”

“We have received confirmation that Peng is safe and comfortable, but we have not yet met with her personally,” the WTA shared in the statement.

“There has not been any change in the WTA’s position on a return to China, and we have only confirmed our 2023 calendar through the US Open,” the association added. The WTA’s stand is expected to cost the women’s tour hundreds of millions of dollars in broadcasting and sponsorship.

In 2021, Ms. Peng caused an uproar with a 1,600 word essay on Chinese social media platform Weibo, where she claimed that former Chinese vice-premier Mr. Zhang Gaoli forced her into sex during a years-long relationship.

The controversy sparked international concern for her safety and prompted the WTA to suspend tournaments in China.

However, the former doubles world number one later commented that she deleted the post because she “wanted to” and described the situation as a “huge misunderstanding.”

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