(Paris) The WTA, which manages the professional women’s tennis circuit, has asked the Chinese authorities to be able to speak “in private” with the player Peng Shuai before a possible return of the circuit to China, according to a press release from the body. sent to AFP on Wednesday.
The WTA has asked “to meet – privately – with Peng to discuss his situation,” according to the statement.
“We have received confirmation that Peng is safe and comfortable, but we have not yet met her personally,” the text continues.
Wimbledon and French Open doubles winner Peng Shuai, who turns 37 on January 8 and is now retired, disappeared for nearly three weeks in 2022 after accusing ex-vice premier Zhang Gaoli of 40 years her senior, of “forced” sex during a relationship that lasted several years.
IOC President Thomas Bach and journalists from the French sports daily The Team were able to speak in turn with the player during the Beijing Winter Olympics in 2022, but the player was chaperoned.
Videos showing her in public in China were also not enough to dispel doubts about her safety and her freedoms of movement and expression.
The WTA had decided in December 2021 to give up organizing its fall tournaments in this country despite enormous financial stakes.
“We remain firm on our position, continue to think of Peng Shuai and the WTA continues to work on a resolution” of the case, said Wednesday’s press release.
“We have always said we hope to be able to resume WTA tournaments in the region, but we will not compromise on our fundamental principles to achieve this”, insists the text.
Last September, the WTA announced “in accordance with a long-term contract” that the circuit was likely to return to China in 2023, but not in the state of the Peng Shuai case.