• WTA tournaments to China in 2023 will hinge on a resolution to Peng Shuai issue.
• Peng accused former Vice-Premier Zhang Gaoli of sexual assault in 2021.
• WTA has received confirmation Peng is safe and comfortable.

The Peng Shuai controversy must be resolved before the WTA tournaments can return to China in 2023, according to the organisation that oversees women’s tennis, which told Reuters on Wednesday that it has still not personally met the former world number one in doubles from China.

In 2021, Peng published a social media post accusing China’s former vice premier Zhang Gaoli of sexual assault. The message was quickly taken down from the nation’s internet. Later, she renounced having levelled the charge.

The WTA decided to halt tournaments in China as a result of Peng’s statement, which sparked a worldwide uproar over her safety and cost the women’s tour hundreds of millions of dollars in broadcasting and sponsorship.

The WTA’s schedule up to September was included in a proposed 2023 tournament calendar published in the latter part of last year, but details regarding events to be hosted in China were not specified.

“There has not been any change in the WTA position on a return to China and we have only confirmed our 2023 calendar through U.S. Open,” the WTA said in a statement.

“A return to the region will require a resolution to the Peng situation in which she took a bold step in publicly coming forth with the accusation that she was sexually assaulted by a senior Chinese government leader.

“As we would do with any of our players globally, we have called for a formal investigation into the allegations by the appropriate authorities and an opportunity for the WTA to meet with Peng – privately – to discuss her situation.”

The WTA stated that while it had been confirmed Peng was secure and at ease, a face-to-face meeting had not yet taken place. The statement said, “We continue to hold firm to our position and our thoughts are with Peng. “The WTA is still trying to find a solution.

“While we have always indicated we are hopeful we will be in a position to again operate WTA events in the region, we will not compromise our founding principles in order to do so.”

The COVID-19 problem in China forced the men’s governing organisation ATP to postpone its events there in July of last year.

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