Zheng Qinwen Excited for WTA’s Return to China

Image source: Reuters

The WTA has announced that it will resume tournaments in China after the boycott due to concerns about the sexual assault allegations made by former doubles number one Peng Shuai. This decision has been welcomed by Zheng Qinwen, the current world number 25, who is looking forward to showcasing her skills on home soil for the first time at the Tour level.

“I’m so happy the tournaments in China will finally be back because I’m really excited to play in front of my people,” said Zheng. “I really miss China because it has been a long time, and I never have time to come back there. Since the tournaments have started, I will have more time to go back to my hometown and meet all my family and show my tennis over there.”

Zheng, who was named WTA Newcomer of the Year in 2022, has previously only played WTA qualifying matches in China at events in Wuhan and Tianjin in 2019. She expressed her eagerness to play in front of a home crowd and to visit her hometown.

However, Zheng admitted that she was unaware of Peng’s whereabouts and had never talked to her before. “But I think she’s pretty well in China. Honestly, I don’t know how she is. I just focus more on myself” she said. The WTA had sought a formal investigation into Peng’s allegations and an opportunity to meet her privately, which led to the suspension of tournaments in China. Peng briefly disappeared from public view after her social media post but made an appearance at the Beijing Winter Olympics last year and conducted an interview with the French publication L’Equipe.

–Re-reported from the story originally published in https://www.wionews.com/