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The governing body of women's tennis suspended
tournaments in China after former doubles number one Peng stated
in a now deleted 2021 social media post that a senior former
Chinese government official had sexually assaulted her.
Peng briefly disappeared from public view after her post but
made an appearance at the Beijing Winter Olympics last year and
conducted an interview with French publication L'Equipe.
The WTA, which had sought a formal investigation into Peng's
allegations and an opportunity to meet her privately, said last
week it will resume operations in China this year.
"I'm so happy the tournaments in China will finally be back
because I'm really excited to play in front of my people," the
20-year-old told reporters after her 6-4 6-4 win over American
Alycia Parks at the Stuttgart Open on Monday.
"I really miss China because it has been a long time, I never
have time to come back there. Since the tournaments have
started, I will have more time to go back to my hometown and
meet all my family and to show my tennis over there."
Zheng, who was named WTA Newcomer of the Year in 2022, has
previously only played WTA qualifying matches in China at events
in Wuhan and Tianjin in 2019.
Zheng, who next faces Iga Swiatek in Stuttgart, said she was
unaware of Peng's whereabouts and that she had never talked to
her before.
"But I think she's pretty well in China. Honestly, I don't know
how she is. I just focus more on myself," she said.
(Reporting by Aadi Nair in Bengaluru; Editing by Peter
Rutherford)
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