Tennis star Novak Djokovic (34) supports the WTA tournament cancellations in China in the Peng Shuai case and is worried about the player's health.

"I fully support the stance of the WTA because we do not have enough information about Peng Shuai and her welfare," said the world number one on the sidelines of the David Cup in Madrid, adding that the health of Peng Shuai for the Tennis world is of "greatest importance".

Djokovic had already backed the WTA's threat last month to cut lucrative business relations with China because of the case.

"I think the WTA's position is very brave," said the Serb.

Eleven events in China

The WTA had planned eleven events in China this year before they were rescheduled or canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The resumption of the tournaments has now been put on hold, as Steve Simon, chairman of the players' organization, announced on Wednesday evening.  

In early November, Peng Shuai (35) reported in the Twitter-like medium Weibo that he had been sexually abused by the former Chinese Deputy Prime Minister Zhang Gaoli.

The entry was deleted as well as numerous Internet entries about Peng, of which there was no trace for more than two weeks.

The WTA assessed later statements as being made under duress.

The Serbian national tennis team around Djokovic has meanwhile moved into the semi-finals of the Davis Cup as the third team.

The Serbs beat Kazakhstan 2-1 in Madrid.

The world number one saved his team 6: 3, 6: 4 over Alexander Bublik in the decisive double, in which Djokovic and partner Nikola Cacic then gained the upper hand with 6: 2, 2: 6, 6: 3 against Andrei Golubew / Aleksandr Nedowjesow retained.

In the first match of the day, Mikhail Kukuschkin gave the Kazakhs a 7: 6 (7: 5), 4: 6, 7: 6 (13:11) lead over Miomir Kecmanovic.

In the semi-finals, the Serbs, who won the Davis Cup in 2010, will face Croatia.

On Tuesday, Germany qualified for the semifinals of the most important team competition in men's tennis for the first time in 14 years.

In Madrid, Sweden or Russia will be waiting for the selection of the German Tennis Federation (DTB) on Saturday.