Connect with us

TENNIS

WTA Suspends Tournaments in China Over Treatment of Peng Shuai

Published

3 years ago

on

The women’s professional tennis tour announced Wednesday that it was immediately suspending all tournaments in China, including Hong Kong, in response to the disappearance from public life of the tennis star Peng Shuai after she accused a top Communist Party leader of sexual assault.

With the move, the Women’s Tennis Association became the only major sports organization to push back against China’s increasingly authoritarian government. Women’s tennis officials made the decision after they were unable to speak directly with Peng after she accused Zhang Gaoli, a former vice premier of China, in social media posts that were quickly deleted.

The Chinese government quickly removed all mentions of Peng’s accusation, and coverage of Peng from news media outside China has been censored. She has not been seen in public except in the company of government officials in more than two weeks.

Peng, 35, a Grand Slam doubles champion and three-time Olympian, resurfaced late last month in a series of appearances with Chinese officials, including in a video conference with Thomas Bach, president of the International Olympic Committee, which will bring the Winter Games to Beijing in February.

“While we now know where Peng is, I have serious doubts that she is free, safe and not subject to censorship, coercion and intimidation,” Steve Simon, the chief executive of the Women’s Tennis Association, said in a statement.

“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,” he added. “I will not and cannot let that happen to the WTA and its players.”

The suspension comes just two months before the start of an Olympics that makes Beijing the first city to host both the summer and winter Games. The I.O.C. has not indicated that the Peng controversy would affect the Games, with Richard W. Pound, a Canadian lawyer and the organization’s longest-serving member, saying that the committee prefers “quiet and discreet diplomacy.”

No other sports organization has followed the WTA’s lead.

“We cannot walk away from issues related to sexual assault,” Simon told The Times in an interview Wednesday night. “If we do that we are telling the world that is OK and it’s not important. That is what this is about.”

“It’s the right move and I’m so proud of the WTA for taking it,” Martina Navratilova, the former champion, said. “Now we are just going to have to see if the other sports, especially the ATP, will follow.”

The governing body for the men’s tour, the Association of Tennis Professionals, asked for an investigation into Peng’s safety, but has not suggested it would boycott China. And on Tuesday, World Athletics, the governing body for track and field, affirmed that it would hold its relay championships in Guangzhou in 2023. The organization is led by Sebastian Coe, a leading member of the I.O.C.

Women’s tennis stands to lose hundreds of millions of dollars in the coming years by pulling out of China. The tour has a 10-year deal to hold its season-ending tournament in Shenzhen, where organizers committed to some $150 million in prize money and millions more on tennis development in the country. The organization also holds eight other tournaments in the country.

Related Topics:
Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

LATEST

WATCH: Andy Rublev gets ‘defaulted’ for his argument with line referee against Alexander Bublik in ATP 500 Tour

Published

9 months ago

on

March 1, 2024

By

Andy Rublev was ‘defaulted’ by the officials for his unsportsmanlike conduct in the semifinal of the ATP 500 tour in Dubai. In the semifinal of the tournament against his childhood friend Alexander Bublik, Rublev was seen frustrated at the lime umpires. In fact, Bublik himself was frustrated at times at the referees. Given the intense nature of the match, both yelled at the officials.

The Russian then had an argument with the line referee after yelling. It led to him getting defaulted. One of the officials who knew Russian claimed Rublev had used foul language against the line referee. However, Rublev denied using any such slang. The Russian official claimed that the Australian Open 2024 winner called him ‘F***ing moron’. The fans are not too happy with the officials.

Watch the video of the incident here –

 

Andrey Rublev fue DESCALIFICADO en el ATP 500 de Dubai tras gritarle en la cara a un juez de línea.

Perderá todos los puntos de la semana y el prize money ganado.pic.twitter.com/9kCY5PQQCe

— Set Tenis (@settenisok) March 1, 2024

Rublev was ready to continue playing. However, the officials found Rublev not worthy to continue the match. It denied the fans of a thrilling end to the semifinal game. The scoreline was 6-7(4) 7-6(5) 6-5 when the incident happened. If not for getting defaulted, the fans believed that it could have had a great finish which they hoped for. The incident had a mixed opinion.

Andy Rublev to be penalized

While some believed that getting ‘defaulted’ was the right call from the officials, many believed that the Russians did not deserve to get defaulted, as it was a big punishment for an ‘unproven incident’. Fans were of the opinion that giving a warning to the 26-year-old would have been a better option. Regardless of this, the Australian Open 2024 winner will be penalized for his act.

While Rublev reached the semifinal of the event and confirmed a lot of prize money in the process, he would not get anything from the tournament. For getting defaulted, Rublev will not get the prize money and will lose his world rankings from the event. Daniil Medvedev and Humbert will face each other in the semis. The winner of the match will take on Bublik in the final.

Continue Reading

LATEST

WATCH: Victoria Azarenka taunts her opponent after straight sets win in Qatar Open

Published

9 months ago

on

February 15, 2024

By

The 2024 Qatar Open saw controversy erupt during the Victoria Azarenka vs Jelena Ostapenko’s match. The veteran tennis player was seen taunting her opponent after an easy win late on Wednesday night.

This latest win for Azarenka over Ostapenko was her fifth against her opponent. As the game ended Victoria Azarenka could be seen tapping her temple area. This was a signal to her opponent about the superiority that she holds.

Watch the video below:

The match ended in just under 90 minutes as the veteran won the match with the score reading 6-0, 6-3. There was more drama once the match ended as Ostapenko decided to offer her racquet for a tap. This was in diversion from the regular handshake to show the right spirit. Veteran player Azarenka decided to ignore the gesture and moved to shake hands with the chair umpire.

Victoria Azarenka’s win marred by controversy

Despite posting a dominant win over Jelena Ostapenko the Tennis world wasn’t happy with Victoria Azarenka. The antics from the veteran player didn’t sit down well with many fans across the world.

Victoria Azarenka now will play two-time Qatar Open winner Iga Swiatek in the quarter-finals. 34-year-old Azarenka had spoken about her motivations during a recent interview she did with the media. “When I was young, all I wanted to do was win the Grand Slam and the number 1 and I’ve achieved that. I wanted to continue and repeat that feeling. After I had Leo, my priorities shifted a bit” said Azarenka.

The tennis star is currently ranked world number 33 and was ranked at the top in 2012. Her two Grand Slam title wins came when she won the Australian Open two times in 2012 and 2013. The last time she came close to the Championship title was when she reached the US Open final in 2020. Naomi Osaka won the title beating Azarenka to claim a famous win.

Further speaking to the media, the 34-year-old said “I had to find a way to balance myself a bit. Where I don’t feel guilty for missing out on some of the time with him and dedicate myself to the craft. I think I found a balance through understanding that I’d love for him to see how hard I work and how much I put into it”

Continue Reading

CRICKET

Shoaib Malik’s third marriage affects Sania Mirza, son gets bullied in school

Published

9 months ago

on

February 14, 2024

By

Sania Mirza

Sania Mirza and Shoaib Malik’s son Izhaan have reportedly faced bullying in his school. Following the third marriage of Malik which took place recently with Sana Javed, a TV actress and a model in Pakistan, which was her 2nd marriage, there has been bullying from the students at the school of Izhaan. The Pakistani media has reported the issue of Sania’s son recently.  

Shoaib, the former cricketer of Pakistan, took to his social media handle and announced his third marriage with Sana. Sania has been facing bullying on social media since then. It has been spread to their children for none of his mistakes. When one of the media personnel met Izhaan after the third marriage of Malik, it was reported that he was mentally disturbed. The situation looks to be worse with the latest incident. 

To add salt to the wounds of the child, the latest bullying has disturbed his peace of mind. Sania is reportedly concerned over the issue. Sources close to the Indian Tennis player claim that Izhaan is not going to school following the treatment received from his peers in the school. Netizens have condemned the act of those involved in bullying Izhaan for none of his mistakes. 

Call for awareness among children regarding sensitive topics

Sania has not reacted to the incident yet on public platforms. However, it is a growing concern to see the children of the popular personalities getting treatment for none of their mistakes. Sania will soon join the squad of RCB for the Women’s Premier League in India. She will continue to fulfil her role as a mentor of the side. Things will be challenging for the Indian Tennis player in the upcoming days. 

Following the latest reports that have claimed the bullying of Izhaan, there has been a call for emphasis on creating awareness among the children regarding discussions on sensitive issues. Malik had married Ayesha Siddiqui in 2002, a teacher in Pakistan, before marrying Sania in 2010. After nearly 14 years of being in a relationship with Mirza, Malik married for the third time in his life. 

Continue Reading

Trending

Copyright © 2024 Wolf777news.