Peng

Lambda · Challenger level

RE: Peng

JonH comes home · Tennis legend

Lambda wrote:
JonH comes home wrote:

And the ITF also wade in and go full tilt for China with the re institution of the Juniors World Tour Finals

www.itftennis.com/en/news-and-media/articles/2023-itf-world-tennis-tour-junior-finals-to-return-to-chengdu/

Not likely to have any British players but it shows where we are with all of this.

The ITF havent changed their position. They've always said that the Peng situation wouldn't cause a suspension of tournaments in China. It was only because of the covid restrictions that ITF tournaments haven't been held.

Ok, fair dos and sorry to the ITF.

JonH comes home · Tennis legend

Dickson covering the story of wta return to China

www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/tennis/article-11989165/MIKE-DICKSON-Money-beats-morals-straight-sets-return-service-China.html

As per lambda, he makes the point that wta never really boycotted China as they couldnt play there anyway!

JonH comes home · Tennis legend

www.wtatennis.com/tournaments

WTA have released a schedule post the US Open of 14 events, including 7 in China. WTA 1000 in Beijing, the WTA Elite Finals thing (what a rubbish event) in Zhuhai and presumably an 8th event to come, the WTA Finals in Shanghai (not yet showing on the release)

Way to go guys - your back bone didnt break then?

Strongbow · All-time great

JonH comes home wrote:
www.wtatennis.com/tournaments

WTA have released a schedule post the US Open of 14 events, including 7 in China. WTA 1000 in Beijing, the WTA Elite Finals thing (what a rubbish event) in Zhuhai and presumably an 8th event to come, the WTA Finals in Shanghai (not yet showing on the release)

Way to go guys - your back bone didnt break then?

As a certain Mr. Dylan wrote long ago - money doesn't talk it swears - Well done JonH for keeping the thread going biggrin

indiana · Tennis legend

Yes, thanks Jon for keeping this going, though all in all it's a and from me.

if arguably the WTA economically felt they had to return they could still have made clear that that was their only reason.

JonH comes home · Tennis legend

Ironically, reading Jon Wertheim on SI and his Wimbledon synopsis - although WTA have gone back into China, China doesnt want the biggest event, the WTA Finals and the WTA is touting it around, with little luck; the price tag is too high.

Wertheim compares it to getting a divorce, deciding to go back to the one who let you down, only to find they dont want you.

Not clear where the WTA Finals will end up - there is talk the Saudi Sovereign Wealth Fund (PIF?) will buy out the CVC stake and take 20% stake in WTA, and in turn take the finals to Saudi. On the other hand, there is also talk of the Saudi's setting up a tennis equivalent of LIV and setting up their own separate "tour" events.

Interesting times.

JonH comes home · Tennis legend

Seems the United Cup is in fact looking like moving to Saudi as the Aussies lost too much
Money hosting it; The mens Next Gen Finals are also moving to Jeddah.

RainDelay · Pro player

So... China,Saudi... The next logical country on the list is Russia at this rate. Year end champs Moscow 2025 anyone?

Brendan F · Lower Club Player

RainDelay wrote:
So... China,Saudi... The next logical country on the list is Russia at this rate. Year end champs Moscow 2025 anyone?

North Korea perhaps

JonH comes home · Tennis legend

I wouldnt be at all surprised to see events back into Russia at some point, that is for sure.

The WTA Finals in Guadalajara and Fort Worth were clearly temporary homes - WTA were paying out $15m prize funds (more than the men) until Covid and I cant see them getting that again; which is were Saudi comes back into play. They may offer the money but the crowds and atmosphere will be poor and it will be little more than an exho , or would feel like one.

If Emma had or could get back to competing at the top, whether London would be interested in picking it up, would be interesting. Not seen or heard any rumours and not sure our economy would support that but you never know.

Helen40 · Grand Slam Champion

As we're in the Asian swing, my mind went back to Peng, and wondered if anything has been said about her recently - or if she's just rotting in a jail cell somewhere.

JonH comes home · Tennis legend

Helen40 wrote:
As we're in the Asian swing, my mind went back to Peng, and wondered if anything has been said about her recently - or if she's just rotting in a jail cell somewhere.

Yeah, I mentioned her in one of the threads last month, same thinking.

sad thing was, none of the press or the WTA following the events have even mentioned it. It seems its old history. Shame on all really.

Barefoot · Lower Club Player

From my knowledge of China, she will certainly have been reeducated and magically have totally exaggerated the incident

But I greatly suspect that once shes accepted that its not anything to worry about then shell be living an anonymous life, probably coaching tennis to youngsters who dont realise who she is.

Helen40 · Grand Slam Champion

Sounds very 1984 - maybe with the longed for bullet..