The women's professional tennis tour announced on Thursday that it would resume holding events in China later this year. The tour had been boycotted since late 2021 because of worries for the safety of former player Peng Shuai after she accused a high-ranking official there of sexual assault.

WTA chairman and CEO Steve Simon said in an interview with The Associated Press that while what he sought was never delivered - a chance for someone from the tour to meet with Peng, along with a full and transparent investigation into the Grand Slam doubles champion’s accusations - the decision was made, with input from player and tournament representatives, to return to the country. “The stance that we took at the time was appropriate. And we stand by that. But 16 months into this, we’re convinced that our requests will not be met. And to continue with the same strategy doesn’t make sense,” Simon said from St Petersburg, Florida, where the WTA is based.

Therefore, we had to consider a different strategy. This has led some of our members to decide that it is now appropriate to resume the mission in China, where we are confident that we can maintain the great impact we have been making over the past 20 years while also making sure that Peng is not forgotten. Hopefully further progress can be made by coming back.

Ms. Peng has not been seen in public since her carefully planned appearances during the Beijing Olympics in February 2022, but according to Mr. Simon, the WTA has "received assurances from people who are close to her, that we've been in contact with, that she is safe and living with her family in Beijing."

Zverev and Dimitrov Monte advance to the next round of carlo masters

Svitolina is going to return to the court after becoming a mother.Ryabkina beat Travison to win Miami Open