The boss of world tennis feels assured about Peng Shuai’s safety after speaking to the Chinese tennis star and does not believe the country should be prevented from staging tournaments.

International Tennis Federation (ITF) President David Haggerty told Sky News that China remains a “very, very important market” and coronavirus restrictions were the reason for his organisation withdrawing events rather than a protest against the country’s leadership.

The tennis world has been divided over playing in China since last year, when Peng made accusations of sexual assault against a high-ranking Chinese Communist Party official that she later claimed were a “misunderstanding“.

The Women’s Tennis Association in December announced a suspension of all tournaments in China over concerns about the treatment of the former doubles world number one.

But the men’s ATP Tour has only withdrawn events from China due to COVID-19 entry challenges – a stance the ITF holds as the umbrella organisation for world tennis.

Mr Haggerty said he spoke to Peng about six weeks ago, and they also stay in contact by email.

“I felt good with my conversation with Peng and… that’s why I continue to stay in touch,” Mr Haggerty told Sky News.

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“It’d be nice to see her face to face and I’m looking forward to that, when I’m able to travel to China for the events, and when she’s able to travel outside of China, as well.

“So from my perspective, I think that tennis should be played, especially by juniors (in China). We want our sport to be able to develop and grow and China’s a very, very important market.”

Although entry restrictions were eased for the Beijing Olympics and Paralympics earlier this year, overseas travellers going to China have to spend seven days in a centralised quarantine facility followed by three at a home.

“The ITF feels that events can take place in China as the restrictions are now hopefully going to be lifted,” Mr Haggerty said.

“In 2023, there will be junior events, senior events, our competitions taking place in China, when the COVID restrictions are relieved.”

Djokovic to miss US Open

Mr Haggerty was speaking from New York ahead of the US Open, where former world number one Novak Djokovic will not be seeking a 22nd Grand Slam title due to his lack of coronavirus vaccines preventing entry to the country.

“It’s a difficult situation… Novak understands the rules and respects them,” Mr Haggerty said. “It’s up to each government that has these rules that they enforce and policies that they have in place.

“It’s unfortunate. We see what a great competitor and how successful Novak has been this year. And I know more than anything he would like to be at the US Open.”

Emma Raducanu will be at Flushing Meadows to defend the title she sensationally won last year as a qualifier, and the English star was drawn on Thursday to face France’s Alize Cornet in the first round.

Mr Haggerty said: “Everyone likes to see someone they can emulate, someone that they can have as a role model – and she certainly does that for many, many young girls around the world.”

The ITF released its financial report on Thursday for 2021 that showed the organisation is rebounding after being hit by coronavirus cancellations in 2020.

Operating income almost doubled to $66.6m (£56m), still adrift of the $88.7m (£75m) generated in 2019.

Looking to the next generation of players, the ITF’s Junior Tennis Initiative saw a jump of 23% in the number of players under the age of 14 introduced to the sport with 213,212 participating in the global programme last year.

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