WTA’s Peng Shuai climbdown sees Hong Kong Tennis Open return in October after 5-year hiatus

Hong Kong tennis chief Philip Mok welcomes WTA’s decision to end 16-month boycott of events in China over safety concerns surrounding Peng
‘Restarting this mega sport event will also help Hong Kong fully regain its vibrancy and re-establish ourselves as a major international hub,’ Mok says

WTA (Women's Tennis Association)

Mike Chan

Published: 1:17pm, 14 Apr 2023

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In the wake of the WTA’s climbdown over safety concerns surrounding Chinese player Peng Shuai, the women’s Hong Kong Open is set to return to the city after a five-year hiatus.

The Women’s Tennis Association Tour event will be held at Victoria Park in October, with an exact date to be announced soon.

The Hong Kong Tennis Association made the announcement on social media late on Thursday night, after the WTA released a statement confirming the resumption of professional women’s tennis tournaments in China from September.

HKTA president Philip Mok Kwan-yet told the Post he “welcomed” the move, and said he “did not agree” with the WTA’s 16-month boycott of China.

“We support this decision [to lift the suspension],” he said. “Together with the lifting of all Covid-19 restrictions, fans can once again enjoy world class professional tennis.

“Restarting this mega sport event will also help Hong Kong to fully regain its vibrancy and re-establish ourselves as a major international hub.”

Spectators at the 2022 Australian Open wear T-shirts reading ‘Where is Peng Shuai?’. Photo: Reuters

The WTA suspended tennis competition in China in 2021 after Peng Shuai, a former doubles world No 1 from China, made accusations of sexual assault against former Chinese vice-premier Zhang Gaoli.

The 37-year-old later withdrew her accusations on two occasions and described the situation as a “huge misunderstanding”.

In a statement on Thursday, WTA officials revealed they had received assurances that players and staff operating in China will be “safe and protected”.

The organisation also insisted it is taking the commitment seriously and will “hold all parties responsible”.

Mok also confirmed this month that Hong Kong will host multiple International Tennis Federation events on the World Tennis Tour (WTT) calendar from June to September.

China’s Peng Shuai serves the ball during a practice session ahead of the 2019 Australian Open. Photo: AFP

When it was last held, in 2018, the Hong Kong Tennis Open was classified as a WTA International Tournament, but it has now been rebranded as a WTA 250 event after a reshuffle of the calendar by the organisation.

It was cancelled in 2019 amid the anti-government demonstrations that rocked the city, before being scrapped three more times amid Covid-19 restrictions.

The Hong Kong Open has traditionally attracted top players every year. Former world No 1 Jelena Jankovic, three-time grand slam champion Angelique Kerber of Germany, and former Australian Open champion Caroline Wozniacki, have all appeared in Causeway Bay.

Dayana Yastremska of Ukraine defeated China’s Wang Qiang to win the singles title at the most recent edition, while Samantha Stosur partnered Zhang Shuai to win the doubles title.