Peng Shuai’s L’Equipe interview ‘does not alleviate any concerns’ according to WTA boss Steve Simon - and he continues to stand by the Tour’s decision to pull tournaments from China.
Peng, a former doubles world number one, alleged in a message on Weibo that China’s former vice premier Zhang Gaoli had sexually assaulted her. She was then not seen in public after the allegation, leading to her wellbeing becoming an international concern.
The Chinese state have since released an email, photos of Peng at events looking happy and organised a video call with International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach to prove her safety. Peng’s latest public appearance has been met with a great deal of scepticism, particularly after she downplayed fears for her well-being.
Peng spoke to two reporters from French publication L’Equipe in person under strict pre-conditions at a Beijing hotel where she repeated her suggestion that the sexual abuse allegation she made back in November against Zhang were a ‘misunderstanding’.
Steve Simon, the chief executive of the WTA Tour, is unconvinced by Peng’s perceived safety.
“Her recent in-person interview does not alleviate any of our concerns about her initial post from November 2nd,” Simon said. “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.
“We continue to hold firm on our position and our thoughts remain with Peng Shuai.”
Peng maintained the reason why WTA officials like Simon were unable to contact her was due to an unlikely computer system malfunction.
In the L'Equipe interview, Peng said on Monday: “I didn't think there would be such concern and I would like to know: why such concern? I never said anyone sexually assaulted me.”
Peng added: “This post has given rise to a huge misunderstanding from the outside world. I hope that the meaning of this post will no longer be distorted. And I also hope that we don't add more hype to this.”
If Peng continues to claim she is living normally in safety, the WTA Tour may have to reconsider their stance. The body has to consider and potentially re-align its calendar for the rest of the year, which has not yet been revealed beyond Wimbledon.
It will need to confirm up its schedule for the remainder of the season at some stage within the next two months - with China’s presence on the Tour uncertain. Simon is currently adamant that no tournaments will take place in China amid the Peng controversy.
Ten tournaments were scheduled to take place in the People's Republic in 2020 before the pandemic hit - including the lucrative finals to close out the year - and they leave a considerable gap to fill in the autumn.
Last year, tournaments in Mexico, Italy, Romania and Kazakhstan were added late to replace the cancelled events.
