Status: December 20, 2021 6:09 a.m.
The case of the Chinese ex-tennis player Peng Shuai caused a stir around the world: she disappeared after accusing a high-ranking official of sexual assault. Now there was a surprising turnaround.
China’s tennis star Peng Shuai has denied having alleged sexual assault against a top Chinese politician. In a video interview with the Singapore newspaper “Lianhe Zaobao”, the tennis player said: “I have to emphasize one point that is extremely important: I have never said or written that someone has sexually assaulted me. ” She feels misunderstood after her words.
In the video, Peng said it was a “private matter” and that there had been “a lot of misunderstandings”. It was the first time Peng Shuai spoke directly about the incident on camera. She also emphasized in the interview that she lives unhindered in Beijing and is not under supervision: “Why should someone watch me? I have always been free.” When asked whether she wanted to travel abroad, Peng pointed out that she no longer actively plays tennis and that, because of the pandemic, she currently has no intention of leaving China: “What should I do out there now?”
Excitement about deleted post
The former world number one in doubles had published a post on the Weibo social network at the beginning of November, which was understood as an allegation of sexual assault by the high-ranking communist party official Zhang Gaoli. The post was deleted soon after. Since then, state censorship has also blocked any debate on the Chinese Internet about it. Peng and Zhang had had a secret relationship with many interruptions for years.
In response to the post, athletes, politicians and human rights activists from around the world expressed their concern for the tennis player’s well-being. Because the signals from China about the fate of the 35-year-olds weren’t enough, the WTA women’s tour suspended all tournaments in China and Hong Kong at the beginning of December, even though China is an important donor. The case also overshadows preparations for the Beijing Winter Olympics in February. The German President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), Thomas Bach, came under pressure after speaking to the tennis star on video channels.