After making allegations of sexual assault, Peng Shuai was not seen in public for three weeks.
The Women's Tennis Association suspended all tournaments in China due to concern for Chinese tennis player Peng Shuai.
After accusing a top Chinese official of sexual assault, Peng disappeared from public view for three weeks.
Steve Simon said he had doubts that Peng was free, safe and not subject to intimidation.
"I don't think I can ask our athletes to compete there," he said.
The WTA has called for a full investigation into the claims.
After accusing a former Vice-Premier of sexual assault, she was not seen in public for three weeks.
She said she was well during a video call with the president of the International Olympic Council.
The video was not enough to prove that Peng was safe, according to the WTA.
Simon said he was concerned about the risks players and staff could face if events were held in China.
He said that the leadership in China has not addressed the issue in a credible way.
If powerful people can suppress the voices of women and sweep allegations of sexual assault under the rug, then the basis on which the WTA was founded - equality for women - would suffer an immense setback.
I will not allow that to happen to the players.
What we know so far.
China censors a tennis star.
There have been no WTA events in China for the past two years.
The governing body has relied on Chinese investment in recent years, leading to a number of lucrative tournaments being held in the country.
China hosted nine tournaments in the year, with a total prize money of $30.4m.
The former world number one in doubles wrote that she was forced into a sexual relationship with a man.
After the post was taken down, Peng was not seen in public for a while.
A number of tennis players and athletes used the #WhereisPengShuai to draw attention to the issue.
Simon said that China's leaders have left the WTA with no choice.
We cannot put our players and staff at risk if we hold events in China.
I am hopeful that our pleas will be heard and the Chinese authorities will take steps to address this issue.
