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The governing physique of tennis says it has not adopted the Ladies’s Tennis Affiliation (WTA) in suspending tournaments in China as a result of it “doesn’t wish to punish a billion folks”.
The WTA has halted tournaments within the area due to continued concern for Chinese language participant Peng Shuai, who has accused a prime authorities official of sexual assault.
“Because the governing physique of tennis, we stand in assist of all ladies’s rights,” stated David Haggerty, president of the Worldwide Tennis Federation.
Peng, 35, was not seen for 3 weeks after going public along with her allegations.
“The allegations must be regarded into, and we’ll proceed to work behind the scenes and on to deliver this to decision,” Haggerty advised BBC Sport.
“However it’s important to keep in mind that the ITF is the governing physique of the game worldwide, and one of many issues that we’re chargeable for is grassroots growth.
“We do not wish to punish a billion folks, so we’ll proceed to run our junior occasions within the nation and our senior occasions which can be there in the interim.”
The WTA stated it had “severe doubts” that Peng was “free, protected and never topic to intimidation” and that it was involved about potential dangers to gamers and employees if it went forward with occasions in China.
In response, China has stated it “opposes the politicisation of sports activities”.
WTA chief Steve Simon has been praised by many present and former gamers for placing rules above pockets.
Nonetheless, the ATP, which oversees males’s tennis, has been criticised for not following the WTA’s stance.
An announcement from the ATP on Thursday stated it believes “having a world presence provides us the very best likelihood of… making an impression”.
The ITF has repeatedly stated that its main concern is Peng’s wellbeing.
“We are going to proceed to analyse the scenario however we really feel that rising grassroots and making tennis obtainable is a crucial aspect,” Haggerty added.
“We are going to proceed these efforts together with the Chinese language Tennis Affiliation.”
Peng has had two video calls with the Worldwide Olympic Committee, which says it is going to have a “private assembly” with the previous doubles primary in January.
She disappeared after accusing former Vice-Premier Zhang Gaoli of sexual assault, with worldwide sports activities stars and governments calling on China to offer proof that she was protected.
Zhang has but to touch upon the allegations.
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