The suspension of all WTA tournaments in China because of concerns about the safety of Peng Shuai could result in cancellations of those events beyond 2022, the head of the women's professional tennis tour.
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"We're hopeful we get to the right place, but we are prepared, if it continues as it is - which hasn't been productive to date - that we will not be operating in the region," WTA President and CEO Steve Simon told The Associated Press in a video call from California.
"This is an organisational effort that is really addressing something that's about what's right and wrong."
Simon said the move to put a halt to the tour's play in China, including Hong Kong, came with the backing of the WTA Board of Directors, players, tournaments and sponsors.
"Really strong stance. Far bigger things in the world than a game of tennis," Australian world No.72 John Millman tweeted.
It is the strongest public stand against China taken by a sports body - and one that could cost the WTA hundreds of millions of dollars.
Grand slam doubles champion Peng dropped out of public view after raising allegations of sexual assault against former China vice premier Zhang Gaoli in a November 2 social media posting that was quickly taken down by Chinese authorities.
In the month since, Simon has made repeated calls for China to carry out an inquiry into the 35-year-old Peng's accusations and to allow the WTA to communicate directly with the former No.1-ranked doubles player and owner of titles at Wimbledon and the French Open.
Simon said the suspension, announced on Wednesday via a statement issued by the tour, means that tournaments could still end up being staged in China if its government follows through with his requests.
"We haven't cancelled, as of yet, but we're prepared to get to that point," Simon said on the video call. "And that'll be a point of discussion at some point: Where do you get to cancellation?
"Is it 2022 only? Is it for the future?
"I mean, those are all questions that will come down the road."
Beijing is set to host the Winter Games beginning on February 4, and International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach said on November 21 that he spoke with Peng - a three-time Olympian - on a 30-minute video call, and that she appeared to be "doing fine".
"This was reconfirmed in yesterday's call," the IOC said on Thursday, revealing that its officials held another video call with Peng on Wednesday.
However, once again, the IOC did not release video or a transcript of the exchange, nor explain how the call was arranged.
Asked twice about the WTA's suspension of China tournaments and concerns about Peng Shuai's safety, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin refused to address either of the issues.
Yet tennis stars including world No.1 Novak Djokovic and the founder of the WTA Billie Jean King backed the organisation's stance.
"It's life of a tennis player that is in question here, so we, as the tennis community, need to stand together," Djokovic said.
King said, "The WTA is on the right side of history in supporting our players."
Australian Associated Press
