Peng Shuai explained the situation: Serena Williams, WTA tennis star disappearing sound, accusations

Chinese tennis star Peng Shuai He has not been seen and counted for 16 days after being accused of sexually assaulting a former Chinese Communist Party leader, causing great concern in the WTA and tennis community for his whereabouts. Former Wimbledon and former French Open doubles champion Zhang Gaoli, a retired deputy prime minister, was forced to have sex three years ago, on November 2, in an online message deleted on the Chinese social networking site Weibo.

The WTA he has actively pressured China to confirm Peng’s security and investigate his allegations, even threatening to take his business profit out of the country if these actions are not taken.

Peng’s tennis teammates have contributed equally Novak Djokovic calling his disappearance ‘shocking’ Chris Evert calling the whole situation “disturbing.” Billie Jean King wrote Peng, the No. 1 in the world, who hoped to find it safe Alize Cornet “Let’s not keep quiet,” he added with the hashtag #WhereIsPengShuai.

Naomi Osaka is the most prominent female tennis player in the world. he tweeted He is “impressed with the current situation” and is “illuminating love and the way”.

Serena Williams, who was much more concerned about the strength of the sport before Osaka, shared the same photo of Peng.

Here’s how Peng’s entire situation developed chronologically, starting with:

November 2: Peng Shuai makes allegations of sexual assault against Zhang

In a 1,600-word message to Weibo, Peng accused 75-year-old Zhang, a former leader of the Chinese Communist Party. Pressing her sex about three years ago. Peng, 35, said the attack came after Zhang was invited to play tennis with him and his wife, but admitted he had no evidence.

“I was terribly scared that afternoon,” Peng wrote, saying that a guard was waiting outside the door while the attack took place. “I never gave permission, crying all the time.”

Peng said he and Zhang met each other while serving as party leader in Tianjin from 2007-2012, and Zhang was forced to have sex in 2017 after resigning as China’s deputy prime minister.

“I know that for someone of your level, Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli, you have said that you are not afraid,” Peng wrote. “But whether it’s like throwing an egg at a stone, or if I’m like a moth attracted to a fire, inviting you to self-destruction, I’ll tell you the truth.”

The post was deleted within 30 minutes, and Chinese censors blocked search terms, such as Peng’s name.

November 14: The WTA director calls for an investigation into the situation

WTA CEO Steve Simon called for “full, fair and transparent”. research In a statement to Peng’s allegations. At that moment, no one saw or heard Peng for 12 days, which spread the hashtag #WhereIsPengShuai on social media.

“It’s clear he showed tremendous courage to make it public.” Simon told the New York Times. “Now we want to make sure we go to a place where full and transparent research is done. Anything else, in my opinion, is offensive not only to our players but to all women.”

Simon threatened to take the WTA business out of China if the country did not properly investigate Peng’s allegations. China currently hosts 11 WTA tournaments and tour finals in Shenzhen.

Although Simon was unable to confirm Peng’s whereabouts or situation directly, he told the Times that several sources – including the Chinese Tennis Association – told him he was “safe and there is no physical threat.” Simon’s “understanding” was that he was in Beijing.

November 15: China remains silent on Peng Shua’s allegations, the disappearance

Zhao Lijan, spokesman for the Chinese Foreign Ministry he said “This is not a diplomatic question” when asked about Peng’s allegations, he added that he was “not aware of the issue”. The country, 13 days after Peng’s message was published, had not yet accepted it.

November 17: WTA questions the legitimacy of the Peng Shuai statement

An email from Peng on Wednesday said the WTA had not obtained his permission or verification before releasing his statement. Peng’s first public comments were from his allegations, but some, including the WTA, had questions about the legitimacy of the statement.

“The news of this release, including the allegation of sexual assault, is not true,” the email read, an email tweeted by the China State Television Network linked to the Chinese state. “I’m not missing, I’m not safe. Rest at home and everything is fine.”

Simon clearly questioned whether Peng was forced to write.

“The statement released by the Chinese state media today about Peng Shua only raises my concerns about his safety and where he is.” Simon wrote. “Peng Shua should be allowed to speak freely, without any coercion or fear.”

Peng has yet to be seen since he posted on social media on November 2nd.

November 18: Simon, WTA threatens to pull out of Chinese business

Simon doubled down on the threat to withdraw the WTA business from China, a country his organization has expanded in recent years, if it does not confirm Peng’s security and investigate his allegations.

“We are certainly ready to take our business out and deal with all the complications that come with it,” Simon said. CNN. “Because this is definitely bigger than this business.”

“Women should be respected and not censored,” she added.

China hosted 19 WTA tournaments in 2019 alone, with a total prize pool of $ 30.4 million. Shenzhen is scheduled to host the WTA Finals between 2022 and 2030, after being held for the first time in 2019. The 2019 Finals had a $ 14 million prize pool.