BEIJING: After a prolonged four-year absence, elite women’s tennis is set to make a comeback in China.
The Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) has announced a series of seven tournaments in China over the next six weeks as part of the tour’s anticipated Asian swing.
In 2020, tournaments in China were cancelled due to COVID-19 travel restrictions. Subsequently, the WTA suspended events in the country in December 2021 over concerns about the well-being of Grand Slam doubles champion Peng Shuai, who had made sexual assault accusations against a high-ranking Chinese government official.
Peng Shuai’s allegations, which briefly appeared on her verified Weibo social media account before being swiftly removed, sparked international concern about her safety. Politicians, fellow tennis stars, and the WTA expressed widespread worry, prompting the association to announce that it would not return to China until Peng’s allegations were properly investigated and someone from the tour could meet with her.
However, in April, the WTA announced its intention to return to China this season after receiving assurances from those close to Peng that she was safe and well. The decision to return included discussions and feedback from players and tournament officials. WTA Chairman and Chief Executive Steve Simon mentioned that while there were differing views among players from over 80 countries, the majority supported the return to the region.
Notably, tour veteran Alize Cornet, who had supported Peng under the hashtag #WhereIsPengShuai, expressed her decision to not participate in tournaments in China this year, staying true to her convictions and prioritizing her health.
In the past, China has hosted about 10 women’s tournaments each year, generating substantial revenue for the WTA and offering some of the highest prize money purses on the tour for the players.
This season, the return of elite women’s tennis in China will feature seven events, commencing with WTA 250 tournaments at the Guangzhou Open starting on Sep. 18, followed by the Ningbo Open from Sep. 25. The prestigious China Open, a WTA and ATP 1000 event, will follow from Sept. 28, attracting notable players like Aryna Sabalenka, Iga Swiatek, Coco Gauff, Elena Rybakina, Ons Jabeur, and Jessica Pegula.
However, the former champion Naomi Osaka will be absent, presently on maternity leave after the birth of her first child in July, with plans to make her return at the Australian Open in January, a tournament she has won twice before. The series will continue with the WTA 500 Zhengzhou Open and WTA 250 Hong Kong in October, starting on Oct. 9. This will be followed by the WTA 250 Jiangxi Open the following week before concluding with the season-ending WTA Elite Trophy tournament in Zhuhai from Oct. 24, where Sabalenka will defend her title from 2019.
