Women’s Tennis Association Still Has ‘Concerns’ Over Peng Shuai’s Wellbeing After She Dismissed Sexual Assault Allegations

Topline

The Women’s Tennis Association said Monday it is still concerned about star Chinese player Peng Shuai, who recently called her allegations of sexual assault against a powerful former Chinese government official “a huge misunderstanding” in an interview – doubling down on the group’s request to meet with the tennis star privately to ensure her safety.

Key Facts

Peng’s recent in-person interview with French newspaper L’Équipe has not alleviated the WTA’s concerns about her November social media post that accused former vice premier Zhang Gaoli of forcing Peng to have sex with him,  WTA chairman and CEO Steve Simon said in a statement Monday.

Peng “took a bold step” in coming forward and accusing senior Chinese government leader of sexual assault, Simon said—though she has since denied making any allegations.

In the statement, Simon emphasized the WTA wanted to speak to Peng privately – during Peng’s L’Équipe interview, she was accompanied by the Chinese Olympic Committee’s chief of staff, according to the newspaper, raising concerns that Peng is being coerced or censored by the Chinese government.

Peng is in Beijing, where she plans to attend several Winter Olympic events and met with officials from the International Olympic Committee over the weekend, the IOC said in a statement.

Crucial Quote

“We continue to hold firm on our position and our thoughts remain with Peng Shuai,” Simon said in the statement.

Key Background

Peng disappeared from public view for weeks last year after she reportedly accused Zhang, a former member of the Communist Party’s most powerful body, of sexually assaulting her three years prior in a now-deleted post from November. (It’s not uncommon for Chinese celebrities to lay low after criticizing the government.) Her disappearance prompted outcry from the United Nations and fellow tennis stars like Naomi Osaka. When Peng reappeared, she claimed she never accused anyone of sexual assault. In response, the WTA said it still had “significant concerns about her well-being and ability to communicate without censorship or coercion.” In December, the WTA pulled matches scheduled for China and Hong Kong, citing their concerns about Peng’s treatment. In her interview with L’Équipe, Peng announced she will retire from professional tennis and did not she did not want to be involved in “further media hype” about the sexual assault accusations.

Further Reading

China’s Peng Shuai Says She Never Accused Anyone Of Sexual Assault In Interview With French Newspaper (Forbes)

Tennis Star Peng Shuai Disappears After Sexual Abuse Accusations Against Ex-Chinese Official—And Top Stars Begin Speaking Out (Forbes)

China’s Peng Shuai Says She Never Accused Anyone Of Sexually Assaulting Her (Forbes)

WTA Suspends All Tournaments In China And Hong Kong Over Peng Shuai Crisis (Forbes)