Women's Tennis Association — Sports Commentary

You know the line about putting your money where your mouth is. When the words stop and the action begins. When it gets down to courage instead of talk.

The leaders of women’s tennis displayed that courage. Stood up for one of their own — and other women who never have picked up a racquet.

Announced they were suspending all tournaments in China, including Hong Kong, because of the disappearance from public life of former Grand Slam and Olympic doubles champion Peng Shuai.

The suspension will cost the Women’s Tennis Association hundreds of millions of dollars. It comes only two months before the Winter Olympics are to be held in China.

Yet after numerous requests to contact Peng had been ignored, the WTA, to its credit, did what the NBA or International Olympic Committee either could not or would not do.

It made an individual more important than a barrelful of dollars.

Two years ago Daryl Morey, then general manager of the Houston Rockets and now president of the Philadelphia 76ers, tweeted support of those marching against the Communist repression in Hong Kong.

The Chinese government responded angrily, threatening to end NBA telecasts in China, which earn the league millions. The NBA apologized. Never again would someone involved with the league mention anything about democracy.

The situation with Peng Shuai is different literally but virtually the same, an authoritarian government reminding the world of its power.

The WTA tried unsuccessfully to speak directly to Peng after her accusations in social media. Finally, in a move that surprised some, it came on strong.

Peng had been seen on iPhone screens — including a video conference with the president of the IOC, Thomas Bach — but not in person.

Bring her forth, said Steve Simon, chief executive of the WTA. Or else. The “or else” proved to be huge.

“I very much regret it has come to this point,” Simon said in a statement Wednesday. “The tennis community in China and Hong Kong are full of great people with whom we have worked for many years. They should be proud of their achievements, hospitality and success.

“However, unless China takes the steps we have asked for we cannot put our players and staff at risk by holding events in China. China’s leaders have left the WTA no choice.”

The suspicion is that China’s leaders didn’t really care when it comes down to protecting their interests.

Over the years, we’ve heard how sport helps develop relationships with other counties. But you better play by their rules if you want to have a chance in the game.

The story reads like one of those “me too” situations, except in China it seems less an issue of helping the victim than protecting the guilty.

In a free society, it would be tabloid stuff, scandalous. But as you have concluded, China is not a free society.

Peng, 35, accused Zhang Gaol, 75, a former vice premier of China, of sexually assaulting her at his home three years ago. She also said she had an on-and-off consensual relationship with him. Then she disappeared.

When people in tennis wanted to know her whereabouts and her condition, China’s state-owned broadcast network came up with a story that Peng claimed she didn’t make the accusations.

“Hello, everyone, this is Peng Shuai,” the voice said, adding there had been no sexual assault. “I’m not missing, nor am I unsafe. I’ve been resting at home, and everything is fine. Thank you for caring about me.”

Skeptical? So too were Steve Simon and most everybody in tennis. Simon said he wants a full, fair and transparent investigation into Peng Shuai’s claims, “without censorship.”

Whether or not Peng Shuai is missing, for sure women’s tournaments in China will be.