The Women’s Tennis Association has announced the immediate suspension of all tournaments in China amid concerns about Chinese tennis player Peng Shuai.
Peng disappeared from public view for three weeks after accusing a top Chinese official of sexual assault.
WTA team leader Steve Simon said he has “serious doubts” that Peng is “free, safe and not threatened”.
“In good conscience, I don’t understand how I can ask our athletes to compete there,” he said.
The WTA has repeatedly called for a full investigation into Peng’s claims.
There was widespread concern for Peng after she accused former Deputy Prime Minister Zhang Gaoli of sexual assault.
She said she was “safe and good” during a video call with Thomas Bach, president of the International Olympic Council, in November.
However, the WTA deemed the video “insufficient evidence” of Peng’s safety.
In a lengthy statement, Simon said he was “very worried” about the risks players and staff could face if the events were held in China in 2022.
“The Chinese leadership has not addressed this very serious issue in any credible way,” he said.
“If those in power can suppress women’s voices and wipe sexual assault allegations under the rug, then the base on which the WTA was founded – equality for women – will suffer a step big backward.
“I will not and cannot let that happen to the WTA and its players.”
The suspension also includes tournaments in Hong Kong.
There have been no WTA events in China in the past two years because of the coronavirus pandemic.
However, the governing body has relied heavily on Chinese investment in their tours in recent years, leading to a number of lucrative tournaments being held in the country.
China hosted nine tournaments during the 2019 season, including the season-ending WTA Finals, with a total prize money of $30.4 million (£22.6 million).
Peng, the former world number one for doubles, wrote on the Chinese social media Weibo that she was forced to have sex with Zhang.
The post was taken down minutes later, and Peng was out of public view for a while.
Several tennis players and athletes have used the hashtag #WhereisPengShuai on Twitter to draw attention to the issue.
Simon added: “I am very sorry that this point has come but China’s leaders have left the WTA with no other choice.
“Unless China takes the steps we have requested, we cannot put our players and staff at risk when hosting events in China.
“I still hope that our pleas will be heard and that the Chinese authorities will take steps to resolve this matter legally.”
China released a statement in October, stating “everyone should stop deliberate and malicious hype [the issue] Let’s not talk about politicizing this issue”.
Zhang Gaoli, who retired from a government role in 2018, has not resolved requirements.
The 2022 Winter Olympics and Paralympics will be held in Beijing in February and March.
