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Women’s Tennis Challenges China’s Narrative Over Missing Player

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The highest official overseeing ladies’s tennis on Wednesday instantly challenged the narrative introduced by Chinese language state media {that a} extremely ranked skilled participant had walked again allegations of sexual assault in opposition to a prime Communist Occasion official, saying he feared for her well-being.

China International Tv Community, an English-language broadcaster managed by the Chinese language authorities, on Wednesday distributed an email that it stated had been written by Peng Shuai, the extremely ranked participant. Ms. Peng has not been seen in public since Nov. 2, when she posted the accusation on social media in opposition to Zhang Gaoli, a former vice premier.

In keeping with C.G.T.N., Ms. Peng stated in her e mail that “I’m not lacking, nor am I unsafe. I’ve simply been resting at dwelling and every little thing is okay.” The e-mail additionally stated the allegation of sexual assault “shouldn’t be true.”

Steve Simon, the chief govt of the WTA Tour, forged doubt on the veracity of the e-mail.

“The assertion launched at the moment by Chinese language state media regarding Peng Shuai solely raises my issues as to her security and whereabouts,” he stated in a statement. “I’ve a tough time believing that Peng Shuai truly wrote the e-mail we obtained or believes what’s being attributed to her.”

Mr. Simon stated he had repeatedly tried to succeed in Ms. Peng, with out success.

“Peng Shuai have to be allowed to talk freely, with out coercion or intimidation from any supply,” the assertion added. “Her allegation of sexual assault have to be revered, investigated with full transparency and with out censorship.”

Ms. Peng’s Nov. 2 submit briefly despatched shock waves by way of Chinese language society. Different high-profile males have been accused of sexual misconduct amid the nation’s budding #MeToo motion. However her accusation touched the very best ranges of its political management. Mr. Zhang had been a member of the Communist Occasion’s Politburo Standing Committee, its highest ruling physique, between 2012 and 2017.

Her submit and any discussions of it have been instantly taken down from China’s closely censored web. Ms. Peng’s verified account on the social media platform Weibo was additionally taken down, although on Thursday it appeared to have been restored, with all posts after early 2020 deleted.

Neither Mr. Zhang nor the Chinese language authorities have publicly commented on Ms. Peng’s allegations, which couldn’t be independently verified. The assertion from C.G.T.N. didn’t seem to have been revealed on China Central Tv, its Chinese language-language state-run father or mother, or on different official Chinese language-language media.

A few of the tennis world’s greatest stars have spoken out in current days in assist of Ms. Peng and referred to as for an investigation into Ms. Peng’s allegations.

Naomi Osaka of Japan wrote on Twitter that “censorship is rarely okay at any value.” Chris Evert, the American former world champion, called the accusations “very disturbing.” The British tennis participant Liam Broady wrote of Ms. Peng’s disappearance, “I can’t imagine that is even taking place within the twenty first century.”

Novak Djokovic, the world’s No. 1 males’s participant, said the restricted particulars surrounding Ms. Peng’s whereabouts have been “stunning.”

The WTA’s feedback and a spotlight on Ms. Peng may damage the tour’s profitable enterprise relationship with China, however that didn’t seem to cease the tour from persevering with to talk out.

Mr. Simon first referred to as on the Chinese language authorities to research Ms. Peng’s allegations on Sunday and prompt that the tour may cease doing enterprise in China if the WTA didn’t “see applicable outcomes.”

The governing physique of males’s tennis, the ATP Tour, later weighed in to assist calls to research Ms. Peng’s allegations.

“We’ve been deeply involved by the uncertainty surrounding the rapid security and whereabouts of WTA participant Peng Shuai,” Andrea Gaudenzi, the chairman of the ATP, stated in an announcement.

The ATP, he wrote, stood “in full assist of the WTA’s name for a full, truthful and clear investigation.”

Amy Chang Chien contributed reporting.



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