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"I hope she is safe and found as soon as possible": Serena Williams worries about Peng Shuai
Photo: Cameron Spencer / Getty Images
US tennis star Serena Williams has joined the global calls to clarify the case of Chinese tennis player Peng Shuai.
“I am devastated and shocked by the news about my colleague Peng Shuai.
I hope it is safe and will be found as soon as possible, "tweeted the 23-time Grand Slam winner:" This must be investigated and we must not be silent. "
Peng Shuai, two weeks ago made allegations of abuse against the former Chinese Vice Prime Minister Zhang Gaoli on the Weibo online network.
The entry was quickly deleted, the 35-year-old former double world number one and double winner at Wimbledon and at the French Open has not been seen in public since then.
An alleged e-mail from Peng had recently increased concerns: the Chinese state broadcaster CGTN published a screenshot of an e-mail that Peng is said to have written on Twitter on Wednesday. In it, she stated that her abuse allegations were "not true" and that she was "resting at home and everything is fine". The Chinese authorities did not comment on Peng's whereabouts when asked.
The Association of Professional Tennis Players (WTA) questioned the authenticity of the mail.
In order to increase the pressure, WTA boss Steve Simon does not rule out withdrawing China tournaments.
"We are definitely ready to do so and would take care of all the complications that come with it," the official told CNN.
It is estimated that the WTA could lose hundreds of millions of dollars in such a move.
“This is bigger than business.
Women have to be respected and not censored, «says Simon.
"We want answers!"
Julia Görges also joined the calls for clarification under the hashtag #whereisPengShuai.
“I am deeply concerned,” tweeted the former German professional player (33rd): “We live in a world in which victims should not be silenced and I stand by the statement with the entire tennis community that we want answers! «
sak / dpa / sid