WTA Courage
Commentators often bore people to tears about 'nerves' and 'anxiety' as factors in high-level women's tennis. But WTA courage is leaving men's sports far behind.The Women’s Tennis Association said Wednesday that it would halt all of its tournaments in China because it isn’t satisfied that Chinese tennis player Peng Shuai is safe following an allegation of sexual assault against a retired senior government official made last month on her verified social-media account.
Though the decision could cost women’s tennis hundreds of millions of dollars in future revenue, WTA Chief Executive Steve Simon said he would willingly cut off one of the sport’s largest business partners until Ms. Peng’s status was clarified.
Other sports organizations, such as the National Basketball Association and soccer’s English Premier League, have previously found themselves in conflict with China over various matters, usually integrity vs. profit. Integrity is usually defeated handily. But the WTA’s move to suspend the nine tournaments it has scheduled there for next year appears to be unprecedented in global sports. Brave and laudable.
Though the decision could cost women’s tennis hundreds of millions of dollars in future revenue, WTA Chief Executive Steve Simon said he would willingly cut off one of the sport’s largest business partners until Ms. Peng’s status was clarified.
Other sports organizations, such as the National Basketball Association and soccer’s English Premier League, have previously found themselves in conflict with China over various matters, usually integrity vs. profit. Integrity is usually defeated handily. But the WTA’s move to suspend the nine tournaments it has scheduled there for next year appears to be unprecedented in global sports. Brave and laudable.
And the Olympics in China is coming. (much from WSJ via Don)
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