Final November, tennis star Peng was feared to be held incommunicado by the Chinese language authorities after she accused retired Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli of forcing her into intercourse throughout a years-long on-off relationship.
Peng, a three-time Olympian and grand slam doubles champion, later denied having made the sexual assault declare.
The WTA continued to name for an intensive and clear investigation into Peng’s allegations and suspended all tournaments in China over her security.
“We stay devoted to discovering a decision to this,” Simon informed The Tennis Podcast.
“We need to discover a decision that Peng could be comfy with, the Chinese language authorities could be comfy with, and we could be comfy with.
“We’re not about strolling away from China. We now have suspended our operations there proper now. We are going to proceed to do this till we get to a decision.
“We are going to keep resolute. We do hope to be again there in 2023 with the decision that exhibits progress was made within the area. That is a victory for the world if we are able to accomplish that.”
China’s government-controlled media lashed out on the WTA on Twitter after it introduced the blanket ban final yr, accusing the governing physique of “placing on an exaggerated present,” and “supporting the West’s assault on Chinese language system.”
However Simon insists the group is not going to merely stroll away from the problem.
‘We now have to discover a resolution’
The Worldwide Olympic Committee (IOC) mentioned Olympic officers met with Peng in February, following by way of on a promise to carry a gathering with the athlete.
The dinner, held on the sidelines of the Beijing Winter Video games, was the primary in-person assembly between IOC President Thomas Bach and Peng because the former Olympian made the allegations, which have since been wiped from the Chinese language web.
Bach and Peng first agreed to satisfy in the course of the Beijing Olympics in a video name in November final yr, however the IOC has are available for harsh criticism for its dealing with of the state of affairs, with critics accusing it of supporting Chinese language authorities efforts to silence Peng.
Final yr, Simon mentioned the IOC’s intervention was inadequate to allay considerations about Peng’s security.
“We now have not had any current communication with Peng and the world has not seen Peng because the Olympics both,” Simon added.
“I do not suppose you’ll make change on this world by strolling away from points. You need to create change.
“It won’t be every little thing we would like. However we’ve to discover a resolution that finds that stability that enables us to return and see progress within the space.”
