The Women's Tennis Association (WTA) has raised concerns on the ongoing safety issue in China and fears are now raised as the nation could lose rights to host future events. The news comes after Peng Shuai a former major champion had accused a government official of sexual assault and is still missing for several days. Questions about women’s safety are at a peak in the nation as WTA has canceled all its events in the nation.
"We’re hopeful we get to the right place, but we are prepared if it continues as it is — which hasn’t been productive to date — that we will not be operating in the region. This is an organizational effort that is really addressing something that’s about what’s right and wrong,” WTA President and CEO Steve Simon said in a video call from California.
Shuai a former doubles grand slam champion is still missing amid fears despite some social media videos which appear to show that the China star is fine. International Olympic Committee (IOC) President, Thomas Bach has claimed that he had a conversation with the missing star. However, the 35-year-old is still a missing figure as she is yet to make a public appearance.
Question marks are now raised in the nation on government officials as Shuai’s missing case gathers more attention. The former Wimbledon doubles champion had publicly asked other fellow players to open up on the sexual assault issue before she went missing. Hong Kong could also be affected by the ongoing saga as the small nation is also set to miss out on future WTA events.
