The Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) has canceled all of their planned tournaments in China and Hong Kong after speculation that 35 year old Chinese tennis player Peng Shuai is being censored by the Chinese government.

This occurred after Shuai posted sexual assault allegations towards former Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli on a Chinese social media platform in November.

According to a Dec 3 statement released by Steve Simon, the Chairman and CEO of the WTA, Shuai is currently in China and does not appear to be free or safe as it is suspected she is being censored by the Chinese government after her posts on social media.

“While we now know where Peng is.” Said Simon in a WTA statement, “I have serious doubts that she is free, safe and not subject to censorship, coercion and intimidation.”

Peng Shuai, a Grand Slam Doubles Champion and three time Olympian accused former Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli of sexual assault on the Chinese social media platform Weibo, last month. Shuai’s posts were taken down within a matter of minutes according to the BBC and it is suspected that the Chinese government removed these posts from the social media platform.

“As a result, and with the full support of the WTA Board of Directors.” Said Simon in a WTA statement, “I am announcing the immediate suspension of all WTA tournaments in China, including Hong Kong.”

The cancellation of all tournaments in China and Hong Kong, sends a strong message that the WTA’s support for their athletes safety and well-being is more important than the money made from these tournaments.

“The WTA will do everything possible to protect its players.” Said Simon, “As we do so, I hope leaders around the world will continue to speak out so justice can be done for Peng, and all women, no matter the financial ramifications.”

The WTA is taking a stance in support of their players, alongside star tennis players like Serena Williams and Naomi Osaka who have spoken out in support of Shuai. The hashtag #whereispengshuai was also trending on Twitter last week.

China also faces more setbacks in the world of athletics as the United States, Australia, Canada and the United Kingdom are implementing a diplomatic boycott of the upcoming 2022 Winter Olympics that will take place in Beijing. These nations are boycotting the Olympics to protest what the United States has called a genocide of Uyghurs Muslims occurring in Xinjiang province in China.

The diplomatic boycott means that no diplomats from the boycotting nations will be present at the games to cheer on the athletes of their respective nations. Athletes from the nations participating in the boycott will still be attending the Olympics and will represent their countries just like any other Olympic games.

White House Press Secretary Jen Pskai said “The athletes on Team USA have our full support… [but] we will not be contributing to the fanfare of the Games.”

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) had a virtual meeting with Shuai on Nov 21 to speak with her and to confirm her well being. Although this meeting has been met with criticism as the IOC did not release transcripts of the meeting or a recording of the meeting itself, nor did they say who was present at the meeting.

A second virtual meeting with Shuai and the IOC occurred on Nov 25, the same day that the WTA announced that they would cancel all scheduled tournaments in China and Hong Kong.