Image copyright Getty Images Image caption Peng, who won three WTA titles in 2012, is currently ranked 27th in the world
The WTA is “deeply concerned” about Chinese tennis star Peng Shuai after she was fined for missing a match.
The 32-year-old Chinese was fined $10,000 (£7,900) for being late for a second-round match in Birmingham last week.
British world number two Heather Watson lost the match, going down 7-6 (7-4) 7-6 (9-7).
“We are writing to encourage Peng Shuai to be more responsive in the future to her obligations as a professional player,” the WTA said.
“We are deeply concerned to hear about Peng’s missed match, as her response does not seem to respect the rules of professional tennis.
“We will remind Peng Shuai of her obligations at every event she competes at. If the USTA and Peng Shuai are unable to come to an amicable solution to avoid her missing future matches, we stand ready to act.”
Peng won three WTA titles, in Surbiton in 2012, and three more in Bucharest (2013), Moscow (2014) and Istanbul (2017).
Peng is currently 27th in the world rankings.