Women’s Tennis Association chairman Steve Simon announced Thursday that he planned to retire at the end of the season.
Simon, 70, was a sometimes strident leader of the women’s professional tennis tour for the past decade who led a boycott of China for its silencing of a prominent player but ultimately appeared to prioritize money and the sport’s financial future over human rights.
“Since day one, I have worked to deliver positive change and growth for women’s tennis, to advance the WTA values of progress, opportunity and empowerment, and to promote dialogue and collaboration between players, tournaments and partners across the game” Simon said in a statement. “I am proud of what we have accomplished and look forward to watching the continued rise of women’s tennis in years to come.”
The American had a reputation as a solid and hard-working but unassuming leader in 2021 when he was thrust into prominence after the Grand Slam doubles champion, Peng Shuai, took to social media and seemingly accused a former top government Zhang Gaoli, a former vice premier of China, in social media posts that were quickly deleted.
Peng accused Zhang, 75, of sexually assaulting her at his home three years ago. She also described having had an on-and-off consensual relationship with…
