The Women's Tennis Association (WTA) has suspended all tournaments in China over growing fears for the safety of a Chinese player.
Tennis pro Peng Shuai recently disappeared from public view after accusing a top official in the country of sexual assault.
There has been widespread concern for her safety since her disappearance and WTA chief executive Steve Simon has now said he has "serious doubts" over her freedom.
Peng, 35, had accused former vice-premier Zhang Gaoli of sexual assault. She has now not been seen for a number of weeks.
Mr Simon has repeatedly called for a full investigation into the claims. But he has now gone further by suspending events in China.
He said: “While we now know where Peng is, I have serious doubts that she is free, safe and not subject to censorship, coercion and intimidation.
“The WTA has been clear on what is needed here, and we repeat our call for a full and transparent investigation – without censorship – into Peng Shuai’s sexual assault accusation.
“None of this is acceptable nor can it become acceptable. If powerful people can suppress the voices of women and sweep allegations of sexual assault under the rug, then the basis on which the WTA was founded – equality for women – would suffer an immense setback. I will not and cannot let that happen to the WTA and its players.
“As a result, and with the full support of the WTA Board of Directors, I am announcing the immediate suspension of all WTA tournaments in China, including Hong Kong.”
He said that the WTA would not relax its stance until Chinese officials comply with a number of demands, including those relating to Peng's safety and whereabouts.
“In good conscience, I don’t see how I can ask our athletes to compete there when Peng Shuai is not allowed to communicate freely and has seemingly been pressured to contradict her allegation of sexual assault,” Mr Simon said.
“Given the current state of affairs, I am also greatly concerned about the risks that all of our players and staff could face if we were to hold events in China in 2022.
“I very much regret it has come to this point. The tennis communities in China and Hong Kong are full of great people with whom we have worked for many years.
“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 with no choice."
