The Women's Tennis Association (WTA) suspended all tournaments in China and Hong Kong on Wednesday over the treatment of tennis player Peng Shuai, who accused a former Communist Party leader of sexual assault.
The match was played in Wuhan, China. Wang He is the photographer.
The images are from the same company.
The chairman and CEO of the WTA, Steve Simon, said in a statement that he has doubts that she is free, safe and not subject to censorship, coercion and intimidation.
Simon said last month that the organization was willing to pull its business from China if it wasn't accounted for and her allegations were investigated, a move that could cost the organization hundreds of millions of dollars in business.
Simon was worried about the risks of players and staff in China.
Since she accused the former Vice Premier of sexual assault in a Weibo post, the WTA has been vocal about its concerns for her. She was not seen publicly for weeks after the post was taken down. The reappearance of Peng in posts from Chinese state media and in a video call with Olympic officials has failed to assure the international bodies of her freedom and wellbeing. Serena Williams and Naomi Osaka were among those who voiced their concern. The European Union joined the United Nations and the White House in calling for an investigation.
The quote is crucial.
Simon said that he has doubts that she is free, safe and not subject to censorship, coercion and intimidation. I don't see how I can ask our athletes to compete there when we don't have the ability to communicate freely and she is accused of sexual assault.
The WTA has suspended tournaments in China.
The New York Times reported that theWTA suspended tournaments in China because of a missing tennis player.
The EU calls for a full investigation into the allegations made by a Chinese tennis star.
The Chinese government censors a tennis star.
eng Shuai has appeared in public. Why is the world not sure she is safe? CNN
The Olympic Chief's call with her was not enough, says the WTC.
