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Peng Shuai, at a 2017 tournament
Photo: GREG BAKER / AFP
The women's tennis organization WTA has called for an investigation into the case following allegations of sexual assault by Chinese tennis player Peng Shuai against former Chinese deputy prime minister Zhang Gaoli. “The recent events in China that affect WTA player Peng Shuai are very worrying. We expect this matter to be handled properly, ”WTA boss Steve Simon was quoted in a statement on Sunday evening. "Peng Shuai and all women deserve to be heard and not censored." The allegations must be treated with the greatest seriousness, said Simon.
The 35-year-old former Wimbledon and French Open double winner revealed in early November via her account on the Weibo social network that she had had an intermittent relationship with the married politician over a period of ten years.
The article speaks of love and affection, but also of at least one unwanted sexual assault.
The entry has since been deleted, and Peng has allegedly been missing for ten days.
75-year-old Zhang Gaoli was vice premier from 2013 to 2018.
From 2012 to 2017 he was a member of the Standing Committee of the Politburo, making him one of the most powerful politicians in the country.
The allegations were the first time a prominent government official has been caught in the crossfire since the #MeToo movement entered China in 2018.
Since then, a few cases had come to light in the fields of science, journalism, and business, among others.
The statement by the WTA President came after sharp criticism of the WTA, which had not previously commented on Peng.
Fans, players and former tennis professionals, including the 18-time Grand Slam winner Chris Evert, launched an online search call ('#WhereIsPengShuai').
“The allegations are very disturbing.
I've known Peng since she was 14 years old.
We should all be concerned, this is serious.
Where is she?
Is it safe?
We would be grateful for any information, ”tweeted Evert.
ara / dpa / sid