From a message posted on the social network Weibo, the equivalent of Twitter in China, on November 2, accusing a former official from the Communist regime for forcing her to have sex, tennis player Peng Shuai gave no sign of life. If her counterparts were slow to react, they are now voicing their deep concern about the treatment inflicted on the player, like Naomi Osaka, Serena Williams but also Alizé Cornet and Nicolas Mahut.
The two French players were also among the first to express themselves on the disappearance of Peng Shuai, on social networks. Alizé Cornet publicly supported the Chinese player by calling for “do not remain silent”. Nicolas Mahut did the same, on Twitter: “The fact that Peng Shuai is missing is not just a problem for the WTA, we are all concerned. “. The Frenchman also encouraged Steve Simon, the president of the WTA, to continue his fight for the truth, while attacking the president of the International Olympic Committee, less than three months before the Winter Games in Beijing: “Thomas Bach, don’t you feel concerned?”
Enough said
« The voices of women need to be heard and respected, not censored nor dictated to. »
Keep fighting Steve Simon…Thomas Bach, do you not feel involved? @iocmedia @Beijing2022 #whereispengshuai https://t.co/d2mPdS1gIL– Nico Mahut (@nmahut) November 18, 2021
On social media, the hashtag #WhereIsPengShuai (Where is Peng Shuai) started to spread and gained momentum when Naomi Osaka, two-time winner of the US Open and Australian Open, took it. used in turn: “Whatever the cost, censorship is never acceptable. Hope Peng Shuai and his family are doing well. I am shocked by this situation and send him love and support “.
Serena Williams, the most successful Grand Slam player in the Open era, also spoke on Twitter: “I am devastated and shocked to hear what is happening to Peng Shuai. I hope she is safe and will be found as soon as possible. An investigation must be carried out and we must not remain silent. I send love to her and her family at this incredibly difficult time “.
I am devastated and shocked to hear about the news of my peer, Peng Shuai. I hope she is safe and found as soon as possible. This must be investigated and we must not stay silent. Sending love to her and her family during this incredibly difficult time. #whereispengshuai pic.twitter.com/GZG3zLTSC6
— Serena Williams (@serenawilliams) November 18, 2021
But if the big names in women’s tennis are starting to speak out on the subject, their male counterparts are long in coming. Asked at a press conference during the Masters, Novak Djokovic supported Peng Shuai: “Honestly, it’s shocking that she’s gone. She’s someone I’ve run into in previous tournaments. There’s not much else to say but to hope that she’s found. It’s terrible, I can’t even imagine how her family is feeling. “. On the other hand, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer have still not reacted.
Beyond tennis, other world-renowned athletes are mobilizing. The Spanish defender of FC Barcelona, Gerard Piqué, whose company Kosmos Global Holding is hosting the Davis Cup, also used the hashtag #WhereIsPengShuai.
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