Global impact: 16 months after Peng Shuai’s boycott, China welcomes back the ATP and WTA

There is no doubt that tennis, like other sports, needs the financial muscle that the Chinese market brings, not only in terms of fans but also sponsorship, meaning that the WTA boycott was always likely to end.

That the fate of Peng, accused of accusing a senior official of sexual assault, is still a mystery was accepted by a verbal shrug from the WTA chief in April, when he addressed the return of his organization to China.

“The position we took at the time was appropriate,” Steve Simon told the Associated Press. “And we’re sticking to that.” But 16 months later, we are convinced that our demands will not be met. And continuing with the same strategy makes no sense. So we had to consider a different approach. Our members believe it is time to resume the mission in China.

Not everyone believes it. Alize Cornet, the French player who was among the first to use the hashtag #WhereIsPengShuai, announced Thursday that she would not play on the China swing of the tour, which begins Monday in Guangdong and ends in Zhuhai on Oct. 29.

“Staying true to my beliefs and paying attention to my health, I have decided that I will not play in China this year,” the 33-year-old wrote on social media. “My season will therefore resume in October. See you soon, everyone!

Of course, Cornet’s absence is no longer the blow it once was. With her best years on the court behind her, she was eliminated from the US Open in both the women’s singles and doubles in the first round, and last week was stopped in the semifinals of a WTA 125 event in Bari where she was the top seed. .

Politics not a factor in Azarenka’s invitation to Hong Kong WTA event, says tennis boss

Coming out of the pandemic has never been easy, and China has not emerged unscathed, on a sporting level. The WTA Finals were previously considered a crown jewel, but they lost to Cancun this year, and the possibility of introducing Saudi money could change the equation again.

Li won the French Open in 2011, when Zheng was just eight years old, and she said it “planted a seed in my heart”.

“When (Li Na) won the French Open… the first Asian to win a grand slam, that gives a lot to a young kid, especially for me,” Zheng said.

“We have local players who are very competitive and who will have the chance to play at this level, because we can provide them with wild cards, and that is a big part of their development,” Lai said.

60-second catch-up

Deep dives

Who is Wu Yibing, the first Chinese ATP tennis champion?

• Tipped for the top after winning the US Junior Open in 2017, the 23-year-old is finally realizing his vast potential

• Wu’s triumph at the Dallas Open comes after 3 years in the wilderness, with injuries taking their toll and the pandemic limiting his movements.

Although China has a true superstar in women’s tennis in Li Na, who won two Grand Slams during her career, she has never had a big name in men’s tennis.

So far, that’s the case.

Coleman Wong wants more time on court ahead of Asian Games, despite home ITF triumph

• The rain delay proved to his advantage as he won the singles title, but he suffered a final defeat in the doubles alongside compatriot Jack Wong.

• The Davis Cup tie at home to Latvia this weekend provides an opportunity for both of them to improve their on-field relationship ahead of the Games.

Coleman Wong Chak-lam took advantage of rain delays to launch a come-from-behind victory in the ITF U25 Hong Kong men’s singles final on Monday.

The final scheduled day of the event at the Chinese Recreation Club in Causeway Bay was suspended by torrential rain on Sunday, with local contender Wong trailing Belarusian Egor Gerasimov 6-4, 4-3.

Coleman Wong knows Asian Games ‘will be anything but easy’

• Hong Kong’s men’s tennis number one continues where he left off in Chengdu, winning the first round singles match at Victoria Park.

• Second seed Wong comes back from 5-2 down in first set to claim victory as preparation for Hangzhou Games continues

Winning a medal at the recent World University Games has instilled a lot of confidence in Coleman Wong Chak-lam ahead of the Asian Games, but Hong Kong’s tennis number 1 won’t let it get carried away.

Playing his first match at Victoria Park since last year’s International Challenge, the 19-year-old suffered a scare during Wednesday’s first round of the ITF U25 tournament.

Peng Shuai’s descent from WTA sees return of Hong Kong Tennis Open

• Hong Kong tennis chief Philip Mok welcomes WTA’s decision to end 16-month boycott of events in China over security concerns over Peng

• “The resumption of this mega-sporting event will also help Hong Kong fully regain its dynamism and re-establish itself as a major international hub,” Mok said.

Following criticism from the WTA over security concerns surrounding Chinese player Peng Shuai, the Hong Kong Women’s Open is set to return to the city after a five-year hiatus.

The Women’s Tennis Association Tour event will take place at Victoria Park in October, and the exact date will be announced soon.

Wong’s triumph ‘a shot in the arm’ for Hong Kong WTA, ATP hopes

• The 17-year-old eyes greater tennis recognition for Hong Kong and a place at the Hangzhou Asian Games in September and the 2024 Paris Olympics.

• The association’s president, Philip Mok, is “confident” that the Hong Kong Open will return in October and the men’s ATP event “maybe in a year or two”.

Coleman Wong Chak-lam’s victory at the Australian Open gave the promising teenager and the Hong Kong Tennis Association a “boost” after two stop-start years affected by Covid-19.

Tennis chiefs to decide fate of Hong Kong Open in next 3 weeks

• World tennis bosses say city will know by end of March if tournament can return to Victoria Park in October

• The Hong Kong Tennis Federation says it still holds the right to hold an event and is in constant contact with officials

Hong Kong’s tennis leaders are expected to know within the next three weeks whether the city’s flagship tournament will return or not, a senior official said.

Organizers of the Hong Kong Open have been informed by the WTA that a response would come by the end of March as to whether the event at Victoria Park could go ahead in October.

Global Impact is a weekly newsletter featuring a news story originating in China with significant macroeconomic impact for our news readers around the world.