The tennis world is mobilizing (finally and totally) concerning the disappearance of the Chinese Shuai Peng. Thursday, interviewed by CNN from its offices in Florida, Steve Simon, the President of the WTA, toughened his speech: “We are definitely ready to pull our business out of China and deal with all the complications that come with it.“, said Steve Simon. “Because it’s bigger than our activities. Women must be respected and not censored. “
Novak Djokovic on the disappearance of Shuai Peng!
“We are definitely ready to withdraw our activities from China”
“We are definitely ready to pull our business out of China and deal with all the complications that come with it.“said Simon.”Because it’s bigger than our activities. Women must be respected and not censored. We contacted her on all phone numbers, email addresses and other forms of contact. There are so many digital approaches to contacting people these days, and to this day we still haven’t been able to get an answer. If she was forced to write it, someone wrote it for her, we don’t know; But at this point I don’t think it’s valid and we won’t be comfortable until we have a chance to speak with her.“, he declared. Courageous position and above all necessary to Steve Simon.
Steve Simon (WTA): “What we want is a transparent investigation. The reverse would be an affront to our players and to all women. If that were not to be the case, we would be ready to to no longer operate in China. ” #WhereIsPengShuai
https://t.co/KGcNTThb7s— Quentin Moynet (@QuentinMoynet) November 18, 2021
Shuai Peng, missing after exposing the sexual assault of a Chinese vice premier
Let us recall the course of this affair which takes on a considerable scale and which can affect the purses of the players so much the WTA has bet on Asia. Beginning of November, Shuai Peng wanted to denounce on a social network the sexual assault she allegedly suffered from a former Chinese vice premier, Zhang Gaoli with whom she would have maintained a hidden relationship thereafter. But now, since his accusations, the Chinese no longer gives any sign of life. The tennis world reacted with the hashtag WhereIsPengShuai. New twist this Wednesday: the player would have sent an email to Steve Simon (president of the WTA) in which she states: “I’m just resting at home, everything is fine“. Reassuring? Not that much since the CGTN media which published the information is affiliated with the Chinese government … Friday, the boss of the WTA even toughened his tone.
Chinese tennis star Peng Shuai has sent an email to Steve Simon, the WTA Chairman & CEO, CGTN has learned. The email reads: pic.twitter.com/jb6yXwxENA
— CGTN Europe (@CGTNEurope) November 17, 2021
“I can’t believe Peng Shuai actually wrote the email”
A few hours later, Steve Simon issued a statement, expressing concern: “The statement released today by Chinese state media regarding Peng Shuai only increases my concerns for her safety and her whereabouts. I find it hard to believe that Peng Shuai actually wrote the email we received or that she believes what she is credited with. Peng Shuai showed incredible courage in describing an allegation of sexual assault against a former senior Chinese government official. The WTA and the rest of the world need independent, verifiable proof that they are safe. I tried several times to reach her by many means of communication, to no avail..”
Statement by Steve Simon, WTA Chairman & CEO:
The statement released today by Chinese state media concerning Peng Shuai only raises my concerns as to her safety and whereabouts. Peng Shuai must be allowed to speak freely, without coercion or intimidation from any source.
– wta (@WTA) November 17, 2021
The email and email that Peng Shuai allegedly sent to Steve Simon
“Hello everyone, here Peng Shuai,
Regarding the information published by the WTA on its official website, this content has not been confirmed or verified by me, and has been published without my permission. The information given, including the allegations of sexual assault, is not true. I am not missing, or in danger. I just got a rest at home and everything is fine. Thanks again for your interest in me.
If the WTA still publishes information about me, please check with me and publish it with my permission. As a professional tennis player, thank you for your support and consideration. I hope to be able to promote Chinese tennis if I have the opportunity in the future. I hope Chinese tennis will get even better.
Once again, thank you for your interest. “
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