With the hashtag #WhereIsPengShuai, the tennis community is worried about the fate of Chinese player Peng Shuai on social media. She would have disappeared for ten days after accusing one of the leaders of her country of rape on his Weibo (Chinese Twitter) account, since deleted.
“Yes, these accusations are very disturbing. I have known Peng since she was 14. We should all be worried, this is serious. Where is she? Is she safe? Any information would be appreciated.”, wrote on Sunday the former American champion Chris Evert on her Twitter account.
Yes, these charges are very disturbing. I’ve known Peng since she was 14; we should all be concerned; this is serious; where is she? Is she safe? Any information would be appreciated. https://t.co/RH0aYCDqQm
– Chris Evert (@ChrissieEvert) November 14, 2021
Frenchwoman Alizé Cornet also relayed the message #WhereIsPengShuai on her account on Saturday, adding “let’s not be silent”, while Britain’s Liam Broady, 127th in the world, using the hashtag #WhereIsPengShuai, wrote on Sunday: “I can’t believe this stuff is happening in the 21st century.”
“It’s not just a WTA problem. We’re all concerned,” reacted for his part Nicolas Mahut, former world number one in doubles.
The fact that Peng Shuai is missing is not only the WTA’s problem. We are all concerned. @atptour @ITFTennis #whereispengshuai #stopthesilence https://t.co/juunFXnuSK
– Nico Mahut (@nmahut) November 14, 2021
Hundreds of anonymous people asked themselves the same question, emphasizing the silence of the International Federation (ITF) and the WTA, the body that oversees the women’s professional circuit.
The WTA finally spoke on Sunday in a statement through its CEO Steve Simon, indicating that “The recent events in China involving WTA player Peng Shuai are of great concern.” “His accusation regarding the conduct of a former Chinese leader, involving sexual assault, must be taken with the utmost seriousness.”, assures the American in this text, which claims that “justice be done”.
Statement from Steve Simon, Chairman & CEO, WTA
WTA seeks full, fair and transparent investigation into sexual assault allegations against former Chinese leader and also calls for end of censorship against Peng Shuai.
– wta (@WTA) November 14, 2021
“We expect this matter to be properly addressed, which means that the allegations must be investigated fully, fairly, transparently and without censorship.”, emphasizes Steve Simon.
In a long text, Peng Shuai claimed to have had, three years ago, forced sex with former Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli, who was from 2013 to 2018 one of the most powerful politicians in China. . The explosive accusation was briefly posted on November 2 on the official Weibo account of the 35-year-old player, doubles specialist and winner in particular of the Roland-Garros doubles tournament in 2014.
While censorship quickly wiped the message off the Chinese internet, screenshots spread like wildfire. AFP had not been able to determine if the message had been written by Peng Shuai and his entourage had then refused to comment. Zhang Gaoli, for his part, had not reacted publicly.