Tennis News
The WTA takes bold and decisive action on the Peng Shuai crisis propelling Steve Simon to sports leadership prominence. Meanwhile the ATP decided to “monitor the situation” which is only marginally better than the IOC’s “quiet diplomacy” of complicity.
WTA Suspends Tournaments in China Over Treatment of Peng Shuai
Steve Simon said Wednesday that the women’s tennis tour would not stage tournaments in China, including Hong Kong, because he has been unable to communicate with Peng despite repeated attempts. Full Story: The New York Times (12/1)
The Tennis Chief Taking on China Over Peng Shuai
The WTA chief Steve Simon has spent years in tennis working quietly to put players first. Suspending tournaments in China over the treatment of star Peng Shuai has made him the most talked-about leader in sports. Full Story: The New York Times (12/2)
ATP criticised for not joining WTA action on China in response to Peng Shuai safety concerns
The Association of Tennis Professionals, in a statement released a day after the WTA opted to take decisive action given concerns surrounding Peng and the safety of other players, said it will continue to monitor the situation. Full Story: ESPN (12/3)
The ITF issues a tepid statement on Peng Shuai
“The International Tennis Federation, as the governing body of tennis, stands in support of all women’s rights,” the ITF’s statement read. “Our primary concern remains Peng Shuai’s well-being.” The ITF has been criticized for not joining the WTA in suspending tournaments in China, but I could not find any ITF tournaments scheduled in China on the 2022 calendar. You can’t suspend events that don’t exist. Full Statement: International Tennis Federation (12/2)
Peng Shuai: Human rights activist Peter Dahlin says IOC is putting Chinese tennis star at ‘greater risk’
Human rights activist Peter Dahlin says the International Olympic Committee’s calls with Chinese tennis star Peng Shuai are putting her at “greater risk” and that they are “obviously staged.” Dahlin said the video call with the IOC, which has not been made public, bore similarities to when he was forced to apologize to the Chinese government on state television in 2016. Full Story: CNN (12/3)
Australian Open lost $71 million in 2021
The 2020-2021 annual report for Tennis Australia reveals that the organization lost $100 million Australian dollars ($71 million US) on the 2021 Australian Open. Tennis Australia’s cash reserves were exhausted and they have taken out a loan to help carry the organization through next year’s tournament. Full Story: Reuters (12/2)
Australian Open 2022: Novak Djokovic ‘probably’ won’t play due to COVID-19 vaccination protocol, father says
Srdjan Djokovic spoke to Serb TV about the upcoming event, suggesting that unless vaccine restrictions change, he does not see his son playing. “Under these blackmails and conditions, he probably won’t [play]. I wouldn’t do that. And he’s my son, so you decide for yourself,” Srdjan Djokovic said. Full Story: CBS Sports (11/30)
Universal Tennis becomes Official Rating System of Tennis Australia
Starting January 1 2022, UTR is the official rating system of Tennis Australia. Tennis enthusiasts down under can look forward to player-centric development pathways and level-based competitive playing opportunities across the country using the UTR Rating. The Tennis Australia press release indicated that the decision was the result of a Competitive Play Review that showed that there was ranking and rating clutter with the purpose and audience of each not well defined. The transition will occur immediately in tournaments and will be phased out in league play starting this year. Full Story: Tennis Australia (12/1) Editorial Note: There will probably be a separate post breaking down this decision real soon now.
This Week in Professional Tennis
| Date | Tournament | Tour/Level | Location/Timezone |
| 12/6-12 | Open Angers Arena Loire | WTA 125 | Angers, France |
