The disappearance of former Chinese tennis player Peng Shuai is of concern. Also with Alexander Zverev. The ATP semi-finalist has now commented on it – and clearly.
Peng Shuai was once world number one in tennis. Now the Chinese woman has disappeared after she published allegations of sexual assault by top Chinese politician Zhang Gaoli earlier this month. A worrying approach to which the German tennis star Alexander Zverev has now also commented.
“We’re talking about a human life, and that’s much more blatant than anything we’re doing here. I hope it will be found soon,” said the native of Hamburg after his won match against Hubert Hurkacz at the ATP finals in Turin.
“Anyone who is in the tennis circus noticed”
At the “Bild” he added: “Everyone who is in the tennis circus has noticed that she has disappeared. But the details are very vague. The Chinese government is obviously not letting anything out.”
Meanwhile have Tennis-Stars wie Serena Williams expressed their displeasure under the hashtag #WhereIsPengShuai (German: Where is Peng Shuai).
Peng Shuai: The Chinese woman is missing. (Source: Shutterstock / imago images)
WTA is considering tournament withdrawal from China
In the meantime, the WTA is also considering withdrawing tennis tournaments from China in order to increase the pressure. Steve Simon, head of the WTA players’ organization, does not rule that out. “We are definitely ready to do so and we would sort out any complications that this entails,” said the official in a CNN interview.
It is estimated that the WTA could lose hundreds of millions of dollars in such a move. Smith clarified, “This is bigger than business. Women need to be respected, not censored.”
Peng Shuai won the Wimbledon Grand Slam title in doubles in 2013. A year later she was also able to triumph in doubles at the French Open. From February 2014 she was number 1 in the double world rankings for 20 weeks.
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