Naomi Osaka at the 2021 US Open
Naomi Osaka shares statement over missing Chinese tennis star Peng Shuai
Tennis star Naomi Osaka is the latest athlete to voice concerns over the whereabouts of Chinese tennis player Peng Shuai.
Peng, one of China’s biggest sporting stars, made the claims in a Weibo post a fortnight ago, in which she alleged top government official Zhang Gaoli sexually assaulted her.
The Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) had earlier confirmed that she is “safe and not under any physical threat”. However, they were not able to directly reach her.
Meanwhile, Osaka, who is No.1 player in women’s tennis, issued a statement on Wednesday expressing shock at how Peng had “gone missing shortly after revealing she had been sexually abused”.
She took to Twitter and posted a statement:
“I was recently informed of a fellow tennis player that has gone missing shortly after revealing that she has been sexually abused. I hope Peng Shuai and her family are safe and OK. I’m in shock of the current situation and I’m sending love and light her way. #whereispengshuai”
Peng is a former number one ranked tennis doubles player. She posted about the alleged assault against Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli on Chinese social media site Weibo (the Chinese version of Twitter).
She said she was “forced” into a sexual relationship with Mr Zhang.
Zhang, 75, served as China’s Vice Premier between 2013 and 2018 and was a close ally of Chinese President Xi Jinping. He has still not responded to the allegations. Her post was later taken down from the site as well.
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