Tennis
FILE - WTA CEO Steve Simon appears during a retirement ceremony for Martina Hingis in Singapore. The suspension of all WTA tournaments in China because of concerns about the safety of Peng Shuai, a Grand Slam doubles champion who accused a former government official there of sexual assault, could result in cancellations of those events beyond 2022, Simon told The Associated Press on Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2021. (AP Photo/Yong Teck Lim, File)
Column: Women's tennis leads lonely fight for human rights

By Paul Newberry Dec. 02, 2021 06:11 PM EST

FILE - China's Peng Shuai serves to Japan's Nao Hibino during their first round singles match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, on Jan. 21, 2020. The stand the women's professional tennis tour is taking in China over concern about Grand Slam doubles champion Peng Shuai's well-being could cost the WTA millions of dollars and end up being unique among sports bodies. The International Olympic Committee is preparing to host the Winter Games in Beijing in two months and has held calls with Peng to show she is doing well — but never raised the matter of the sexual assault allegations she made against a former Chinese government official. (AP Photo/Andy Brownbill, File)
Women's tennis' China stance could be unique, cost millions

By Stephen Wade And Howard Fendrich Dec. 02, 2021 03:23 PM EST

FILE - Peng Shuai of China reacts after scoring a point against Monica Niculescu of Romania during their women's singles match of the China Open tennis tournament at the Diamond Court in Beijing, Wednesday, Oct. 4, 2017. The head of the women’s professional tennis tour announced Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2021, that all WTA tournaments would be suspended in China because of concerns about the safety of Peng Shuai, a Grand Slam doubles champion who accused a former high-ranking government official in that country of sexual assault.(AP Photo/Andy Wong, File)
IOC says it had 2nd video call with tennis player Peng Shuai

Dec. 02, 2021 01:19 PM EST

Chinese tennis player Peng Shuai reacts during a tennis match in Beijing, China on Oct. 6, 2009. When Peng disappeared from public view this month after accusing a senior Chinese politician of sexual assault, it caused an international uproar. But back in China, Peng is just one of several people, activists and accusers alike, who have been hustled out of view, charged with crimes or trolled and silenced online for speaking out about the harassment, violence and discrimination women face every day. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)
Women's tennis tour suspends China events over Peng concerns

By Howard Fendrich Dec. 01, 2021 02:49 PM EST

A man wearing a mask passes by propaganda boards promoting the upcoming Beijing Winter Olympics in Beijing, China, Monday, Nov. 22, 2021. Beijing reiterates its commitment to hosting a frugal and green Winter Olympics ahead of the February sporting event, promising to make the games "simple and excellent." (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)
China concerned about omicron effect on Beijing Winter Games

Nov. 30, 2021 05:43 AM EST

Chinese tennis player Peng Shuai reacts during her women's singles match at the China Open tennis tournament in Beijing on Oct. 5, 2016. When Peng disappeared from public view this month after accusing a senior Chinese politician of sexual assault, it caused an international uproar. But back in China, Peng is just one of several people, activists and accusers alike, who have been hustled out of view, charged with crimes or trolled and silenced online for speaking out about the harassment, violence and discrimination women face every day. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)
ITF Brazil 04A, Women Singles

Nov. 27, 2021 10:38 PM EST

Chinese tennis player Peng Shuai reacts during a tennis match in Beijing, China on Oct. 6, 2009. When Peng disappeared from public view this month after accusing a senior Chinese politician of sexual assault, it caused an international uproar. But back in China, Peng is just one of several people, activists and accusers alike, who have been hustled out of view, charged with crimes or trolled and silenced online for speaking out about the harassment, violence and discrimination women face every day. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)
WTA remains "concerned' about Peng's ability to speak freely

By Stephen Wade Nov. 27, 2021 10:37 PM EST

FILE - China's Peng Shuai waves after losing to Canada Eugenie Bouchard in their first round match at the Australian Open tennis championships in Melbourne, Australia on Jan. 15, 2019. Out of public view for almost three weeks, Chinese tennis player Peng Shuai appeared Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021 in a live video call with International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein, File)
Australian Open Women Singles

Nov. 22, 2021 03:40 AM EST

FILE - China's Peng Shuai waves after losing to Canada Eugenie Bouchard in their first round match at the Australian Open tennis championships in Melbourne, Australia on Jan. 15, 2019. Out of public view for almost three weeks, Chinese tennis player Peng Shuai appeared Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021 in a live video call with International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein, File)
IOC call with Chinese tennis star Peng raises more questions

By Stephen Wade Nov. 22, 2021 03:39 AM EST

Alexander Zverev of Germany holds his trophy after winning the singles final tennis match of the ATP World Tour Finals, at the Pala Alpitour in Turin, Italy, Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021. Zverev defeated Daniil Medvedev of Russia 6-4/6-4.(AP Photo/Luca Bruno)
ITF Italy 13A, Women Singles

Nov. 21, 2021 12:54 PM EST

Daniil Medvedev of Russia returns the ball to Alexander Zverev of Germany during their singles final tennis match of the ATP World Tour Finals, at the Pala Alpitour in Turin, Italy, Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)
ITF Italy 13A, Women Singles

Nov. 21, 2021 12:36 PM EST

Daniil Medvedev of Russia gestures during his singles final tennis match of the ATP World Tour Finals against Alexander Zverev of Germany, at the Pala Alpitour in Turin, Italy, Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)
ITF Italy 13A, Women Singles

Nov. 21, 2021 12:36 PM EST

France's Pierre-Hugues Herbert and Nicolas Mahut, left, pose with their trophy after winning the doubles final tennis match of the ATP World Tour Finals, at the Pala Alpitour in Turin, Italy, Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021. Herbert and Mahut defeated Rajeev Ram of the United States and Britain's Joe Salisbury 6-4/7-6. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)
ATP World Tour Finals Men Doubles

Nov. 21, 2021 12:36 PM EST

Alexander Zverev of Germany, with his brother Misha, left, holds his trophy after winning the singles final tennis match of the ATP World Tour Finals, at the Pala Alpitour in Turin, Italy, Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021. Zverev defeated Daniil Medvedev of Russia 6-4/6-4.(AP Photo/Luca Bruno)
Urged forward by brother, Zverev wins with aggressive tactic

By Andrew Dampf Nov. 21, 2021 12:33 PM EST

FILE - China's Peng Shuai reacts during her first round singles match against Japan's Nao Hibino at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia on Jan. 21, 2020. The editor of a Communist Party newspaper posted a video online that he said showed missing tennis star Peng Shuai watching a match Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021 as the ruling party tried to quell fears abroad while suppressing information in China about Peng after she accused a senior leader of sexual assault. (AP Photo/Andy Brownbill, File)
Australian Open Women Singles

Nov. 20, 2021 10:46 PM EST

A coach teaches children how to serve the tennis ball near the Diamond Court, background, in Beijing, Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021. According to photos released by the organizer, missing tennis star Peng Shuai reappeared in public Sunday at a youth tournament in the court compound in Beijing, as the ruling Communist Party tried to quell fears abroad while suppressing information in China about Peng after she accused a senior leader of sexual assault. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)
Olympic officials: Chinese tennis star Peng says she is safe

By Joe Mcdonald Nov. 20, 2021 10:38 PM EST

Peng Shuai of China wipes her face during the women's singles match against Samantha Stosur of Australia on the second day at the Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London, on July 3, 2018. China's Foreign Ministry is sticking to its line that it isn't aware of the controversy surrounding tennis professional Peng Shuai, who disappeared after accusing a former top official of sexually assaulting her. A ministry spokesperson said Friday that the matter was not a diplomatic question and that he was not aware of the situation. (AP Photo/Tim Ireland, File)
Photos of missing Chinese tennis star posted online

Nov. 20, 2021 08:06 PM EST

Daniil Medvedev of Russia shake hands with Casper Ruud of Norway, right, at the end of their ATP World Tour Finals, singles semifinal, tennis match, at the Pala Alpitour in Turin, Italy, Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021. Medvedev won 6-4/6-2. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)
ATP World Tour Finals Men Singles

Nov. 20, 2021 06:16 PM EST

Novak Djokovic of Serbia leaves the court after losing to Alexander Zverev of Germany in their ATP World Tour Finals, singles semifinal, tennis match, at the Pala Alpitour in Turin, Italy, Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021. Zverev won 7-6/4-6/6-3. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)
ATP World Tour Finals Men Singles

Nov. 20, 2021 06:16 PM EST

Daniil Medvedev of Russia reacts after defeating Casper Ruud of Norway in their ATP World Tour Finals, singles semifinal, tennis match, at the Pala Alpitour in Turin, Italy, Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021. Medvedev won 6-4/6-2. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)
Zverev denies Djokovic another chance to earn a big title

By Andrew Dampf Nov. 20, 2021 06:13 PM EST