Report: ITF follows WTA in suspending tournaments in China

The ITF has reportedly performed a U-turn on its stance on tournaments in China and will not hold any events in the country next year.

International concern remains over the safety of Peng Shuai, who largely disappeared from the public eye after accusing former vice premier Zhang Gaoli of sexual assault.

Shuai has since taken part in video calls with the IOC, but the WTA remains worried about her well-being and has suspended tournaments in China amid the controversy.

The ITF initially affirmed that it did not want to "punish a billion people" in suspending tournaments in China, but according to Reuters, the federation has now had a change of heart.

"No men's or women's ITF World Tennis Tour tournaments are scheduled to be played in China in 2022," a source told the publication, without directly stating that it was to do with the Peng Shuai case.

Emails claiming to be from Shuai have been received by the WTA, but CEO Steve Simon believes the communication is "100% orchestrated".