{"id":1082286,"date":"2021-12-03T23:13:33","date_gmt":"2021-12-04T04:13:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=1082286"},"modified":"2021-12-03T23:13:35","modified_gmt":"2021-12-04T04:13:35","slug":"tennis-stars-pressure-mens-tour-to-join-wta-in-china-boycott","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/tennis-stars-pressure-mens-tour-to-join-wta-in-china-boycott\/","title":{"rendered":"Tennis Stars Pressure Men&#039;s Tour to Join WTA in China Boycott"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">22<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Ftennis-stars-pressure-mens-tour-to-join-wta-in-china-boycott%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=1082286&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p class=\"subheading\"><span>Several renowned tennis players, including women\u2019s tennis legend Martina Navratilova, sternly criticized the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) men\u2019s tennis league on Thursday for refusing to join the Women\u2019s Tennis Association (WTA) in boycotting China over the mistreatment of tennis star Peng Shuai after she accused a top Communist Party official of rape.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>The WTA stunned the world on Wednesday by <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.breitbart.com\/sports\/2021\/12\/01\/womens-tennis-association-suspends-all-tournaments-china-treatment-peng-shuai\/\"><span>announcing<\/span><\/a><span>&nbsp;it would suspend all games in China and Hong Kong until the Chinese government conducted a \u201cfull and transparent investigation\u201d into Peng\u2019s allegations against former Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli.<\/span><\/p>\n<figure id=\"D-ROS-B1\" class=\"a8d\"><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"M-ROS-B1\" class=\"a8d\"><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"gmxrevmore\" class=\"H\"><\/figure>\n<p><span>Peng disappeared from public view for weeks after making her allegation in a social media post aggressively scrubbed by Communist censors. She eventually reappeared in some dubious email communications and photos that may have been created under duress, then allegedly held a teleconference with the International Olympic Committee (IOC), which pronounced itself satisfied with her health and safety.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>WTA chair Steve Simon <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.breitbart.com\/asia\/2021\/12\/02\/china-world-tennis-associations-support-stripped-peng-shuai-of-freedom-of-expression\/\"><span>questioned<\/span><\/a><span> the value of the IOC teleconference, arguing that Peng could still be acting under compulsion by the brutal Chinese regime, and said he could not in good conscience expose international WTA players to abuse by such an oppressive government.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>\u201cNone of this is acceptable nor can it become acceptable. If powerful people can suppress the voices of women and sweep allegations of sexual assault under the rug, then the basis on which the WTA was founded \u2013 equality for women \u2013 would suffer an immense setback. I will not and cannot let that happen to the WTA and its players,\u201d Simon wrote on Wednesday.<\/span><\/p>\n<figure id=\"M-ROS-B2\" class=\"a8d\"><\/figure>\n<p><span>On Thursday, ATP chair Andrea Gaudenzi issued a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.atptour.com\/en\/news\/atp-statement-2-december-2021\"><span>statement<\/span><\/a><span> that appeared supportive of the WTA\u2019s position, but he did not join the boycott of China:<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote readability=\"12\">\n<p><span>The situation involving Peng Shuai continues to raise serious concerns within and beyond our sport. The response to those concerns has so far fallen short. We again urge for a line of open direct communication between the player and the WTA in order to establish a clearer picture of her situation.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>We know that sport can have a positive influence on society and generally believe that having a global presence gives us the best chance of creating opportunity and making an impact.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>We will continue to consult with our members and monitor any developments as this issue evolves<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><span>ATP\u2019s statement was slammed as \u201cdisappointing\u201d by human rights activists who urged Gaudenzi to take a stronger stand and join the WTA boycott against \u201cXi Jinping\u2019s human rights black hole,\u201d as Deputy European Media Director Jan Kooy of Human Rights Watch <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/KooyJan\/status\/1466475857871003656\"><span>put <\/span><\/a><span>it<\/span><span>.<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_19003698\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\" readability=\"38\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Peng-Shuai-China-tennis-Chinese-Vice-Premier-Zhang-Gaoli-split-getty.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-19003698\" src=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Peng-Shuai-China-tennis-Chinese-Vice-Premier-Zhang-Gaoli-split-getty.jpg\" alt=\"(COMBO) This combination of file photos shows tennis player Peng Shuai of China (L) during her women&#039;s singles first round match at the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 16, 2017; and Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli (R) during a visit to Russia at the Saint Petersburg International Investment Forum in Saint Petersburg on June 18, 2015. - Chinese tennis star Peng Shuai said she was safe and well during a video call with the International Olympic Committee chief on November 21, 2021, the organisation said, amid international concern about her well-being after being seen attending a Beijing tennis tournament, marking her first public appearance since she made her accusations against former vice premier Zhang Gaoli. (Photo by Paul CROCK and Alexander ZEMLIANICHENKO \/ AFP) (Photo by PAUL CROCK,ALEXANDER ZEMLIANICHENKO\/AFP via Getty Images)\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-caption-text\">This combination of file photos shows tennis player Peng Shuai of China (L) in Melbourne on January 16, 2017; and Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli (R) during a visit to Russia at the Saint Petersburg International Investment Forum in Saint Petersburg on June 18, 2015. (Photo by PAUL CROCK, ALEXANDER ZEMLIANICHENKO\/AFP via Getty Images)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><span>\u201cAre we to understand that the ATP would have made the same statement had the player been a male? An ATP tour pro?!? Somehow I think not,\u201d scoffed tennis champ Martina Navratilova, dismissing Gaudenzi\u2019s statement as \u201cembarrassing.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>British player Liam Brody <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Liambroady\/status\/1466506404752203789\"><span>agreed<\/span><\/a><span> the ATP statement was \u201cabsolutely embarrassing\u201d and \u201cfull of fluff,\u201d a judgment he also rendered on the IOC for letting China off the hook.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>Sky News <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/news.sky.com\/story\/peng-shuai-atp-criticised-over-fluff-response-and-not-joining-wta-in-suspending-tournaments-in-china-over-concerns-for-tennis-player-12485252\"><span>quoted<\/span><\/a><span>&nbsp;more condemnations rolling in from tennis players on Thursday and Friday:<\/span><\/p>\n<figure id=\"M-ROS-B3\" class=\"a8d adSo\"><\/figure>\n<blockquote readability=\"11\">\n<p><span>Former men\u2019s world number one Andy Roddick also said the ATP statement showed \u201chow to say a lot of words and say nothing\u201d.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>American player Mardy Fish tweeted: \u201cThat\u2019s a statement?\u201d and his compatriot Tennys Sandgren wrote: \u201cIt\u2019s important to understand that we as the players are completely handcuffed in our ability to act as a collective, and our leadership from the @atptour is complete dumpster.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><span>American tennis pro Reilly Opelka lobbed some heavy sarcasm across the ATP\u2019s net, mockingly <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/ReillyOpelka\/status\/1466452823596482564\"><span>describing<\/span><\/a><span> Gaudenzi\u2019s statement on Peng as \u201cPOWERFUL!\u201d and then saying he was \u201cparticularly moved by the part where he said \u2018we will monitor any developments as this issue evolves.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>The <\/span><span>UK <\/span><i><span>Express<\/span><\/i> <span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.express.co.uk\/sport\/tennis\/1530574\/ATP-ridiculed-Peng-Shuai-statement-WTA-suspend-tournaments-China-tennis-news\">found<\/a> more examples of players and fans ridiculing the ATP as \u201cpathetic\u201d and a \u201csham,\u201d while praising the WTA for its leadership on the Peng Shuai issue.<\/span><\/p>\n<figure id=\"D-ROS-B2\" class=\"a8d\"><\/figure>\n<p><span>On a related note, veteran sportscaster Bob Costas on Thursday slammed the IOC for being \u201cin bed with China,\u201d accusing the Olympic committee of \u201caiding and abetting a problematic regime\u201d ever since the previous Beijing Games in 2008. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>Costas was a <a href=\"https:\/\/greekreporter.com\/2008\/08\/25\/bob-costas-anchors-olympics-for-the-7th-time\/\">leading<\/a> broadcaster from the 2008 Olympic Games, his seventh turn as Olympic anchor, and he was not <a href=\"https:\/\/kaitian03.wordpress.com\/2008\/08\/26\/nbcs-transcript-of-bob-costas-s-closing-remarks-on-beijing-olympics\/\">critical<\/a> of the Chinese government at the time.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>\u201cIt\u2019s very troubling, their affinity for authoritarian regimes,\u201d Costas <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/TheLeadCNN\/status\/1466552790071795715\"><span>said<\/span><\/a><span> in a CNN interview<\/span><span>&nbsp;on Thursday. \u201cIt\u2019s pretty clear that in the video interview with Peng a week or so ago, they were just giving China cover. It was pretty clear that it was coached, that it was all a setup.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<figure id=\"M-ROS-B4\" class=\"a8d adSo\"><\/figure>\n<p><span>Costas also chastised the National Basketball Association (NBA), the Nike sportswear company, and \u201cvarious individual sports stars in the United States\u201d who constantly criticize their own country, but refuse to speak out against \u201cthe world\u2019s leading human rights abuser\u201d because they have \u201csignificant investments in China.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_15997842\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\" readability=\"37\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/Beijing-Olympics.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-15997842\" src=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/Beijing-Olympics.jpg\" alt=\"BEIJING, CHINA - FEBRUARY 26: People wear protective masks as they walk front the logos of the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics at Yanqing Ice Festival on February 26, 2021 in Beijing, China. The Festival comes at the final day of the Chinese Lunar New Year celebrations. (Photo by Lintao Zhang\/Getty Images)\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-caption-text\">People wear protective masks as they walk in front of the logos of the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics at Yanqing Ice Festival on February 26, 2021, in Beijing, China. (Photo by Lintao Zhang\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><span>Human rights activist Peter Dahlin of the group Safeguard Defenders published an <\/span><span>open <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/safeguarddefenders.com\/en\/blog\/open-letter-ioc-peng-shuai\"><span>letter<\/span><\/a><span> to the IOC on Thursday in which he noted the People\u2019s Republic of China (PRC) has an ugly history of using \u201cstage-managed appearances\u201d and \u201cforced television confessions\u201d to \u201ccounter international criticism.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>Drawing upon his own personal experience as the subject of a PRC forced confession, Dahlin declared: \u201cPeng is not free.\u201d He even drew the IOC a diagram of where all the CCP thugs and security agents were probably positioned in the room while Peng was speaking.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>\u201cYou know \u2013 or should know \u2013 that she is not free,\u201d he chided the IOC. \u201cYou have seen the initial letter claiming to be from her \u2013 where she retracts the allegations of rape against former high level CCP cadre and State leader Zhang Gaoli. If she is not under control by the police, why in the world would she do that?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>Dahlin was willing to cut the IOC some slack for perhaps unwittingly participating in a staged teleconference with Peng that was used aggressively by Chinese Communist propagandists to deflect international criticism, but he was livid that the Olympic committee proceeded to hold a <\/span><i><span>second <\/span><\/i><span>such conference with Peng on Wednesday.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>\u201cIf you are indeed non-political then immediately refuse the CCP\u2019s requests to help them counter international criticism. Refuse to engage on their behalf, and let them do it themselves. Limit yourself to pushing for her safe release, support the WTA wholeheartedly, and ensure that Beijing lives up to its promises made to host the 2022 Olympics,\u201d he demanded.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>Perhaps wobbling a bit under this worldwide criticism, the IOC issued a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcchicago.com\/news\/ioc-releases-statement-holds-second-video-call-with-peng-shuai\/2698470\/\"><span>statement<\/span><\/a><span> on Thursday insisting it shares \u201cthe same concern as many other people and organizations about the wellbeing and safety of Peng Shuai\u201d and pledging to hold an in-person meeting with her in January.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Several renowned tennis players, including women\u2019s tennis legend Martina Navratilova, sternly criticized the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) men\u2019s tennis league on Thursday for refusing to join the Women\u2019s Tennis &#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":41,"featured_media":2315279,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1082286","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1082286","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/41"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1082286"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1082286\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2315279"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1082286"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1082286"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1082286"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}