While she still has not appeared publicly since her denunciation of sexual assault, a Chinese media gives news of Peng Shuai. But tennis authorities have a hard time believing it …
It is a matter as enigmatic as it is mysterious. At the beginning of November, the former Chinese tennis champion, Peng Shuai, denounced on a social network having been the victim of sexual assault on the part of the former vice-premier of the People’s Republic of China, Zhang Gaoli. Since then, radio silence, no more news of the winner of Roland Garros and Wimbledon in doubles. An absence that questions and worries, especially in the world of tennis. If the authorities of the ATP and the WTA (the female circuit) recently declared to have received the confirmation that the young woman is in a safe place, the last message broadcast by a Chinese state media casts doubt.
Last night, CGTN, a Chinese state broadcaster, posted a message on Twitter that is believed to be the work of Peng Shuai. In it, she explains that the sexual assault allegations are “false” and that there is no need to worry about her. “I am neither missing nor in danger. I was just resting at home, everything is fine. Thanks again for checking in.”, specifies the message broadcast.
A text which obviously did not convince many people and in particular the boss of the WTA, Steve Simon. “The statement released today (editor’s note, Wednesday, November 17)) by the Chinese official media concerning Peng Shuai only increases my concern for its safety and location “, he says in the introduction of a press release published yesterday on the official website of the WTA.
I find it hard to believe that Peng Shuai actually wrote down the email we received
Wary of the response attributed to Peng Shuai by CGTN, Steve Simon leaves little room for doubt. “I find it hard to believe that Peng Shuai actually wrote down the email we received and that she could mean the words attributed to her.”, he says before insisting on the need for more information on the former 35-year-old player: “The WTA and the rest of the world need independent, verifiable evidence that it is safe. I have tried many times to reach her via several communication platforms, to no avail “.
Concerned by the lack of news from Peng Shuai, Steve Simon therefore delivers a strong and straightforward message. For him, “she must have the right to speak freely, without constraints or intimidation from anyone”.
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