WHY IS THE WOMEN'S TENNIS CHINA BOYCOTT OVER PENG SHUAI ENDING?

Peng dropped out of public view after saying in a social media post in November 2021 that former vice premier Zhang Gaoli forced her to have sex...

- CT CONTRIBUTOR

The women's professional tennis tour is ending its suspension of tournaments in China initiated in late 2021 over concerns about Grand Slam doubles champion Peng Shuai's well-being. The WTA announced that it would return to competition in China this season, even though two of its key requests were never met: a chance to meet with Peng and a thorough, transparent investigation of her sexual assault accusations against a high-ranking Chinese government official.

WHO IS PENG SHUAI?

Peng is a former pro tennis player who reached No. 1 in the WTA rankings in doubles in 2014 and made it as high as No. 14 in singles in 2011. In doubles, Peng won major championships at Wimbledon in 2013, and the French Open in 2014; her best Grand Slam showing in singles was a run to the semifinals at the U.S. Open in 2014. She won 23 WTA titles in doubles and two in singles and represented China at three Summer Olympics. The WTA lists her career prize money as more than $9.5 million. Now 37, Peng last competed at a tournament in Doha, Qatar, in February 2020.

WHY WAS THERE GLOBAL CONCERN FOR PENG’S WELL-BEING?