The women’s tennis association WTA has called into investigation into allegations that elite Chinese player Pcheng Shui has been the victim of sexual assault by a former Chinese deputy prime minister. At the same time, the WTA demands that the former world number one doubles not be silenced.
One of China’s most famous tennis players, Pcheng Shui, published a long post on China’s Weibo social network last week about her relationship with former influential communist official Chang Kao-lim. A former member of the powerful Communist Party politburo allegedly forced her to have sex in 2018. Seven years earlier, the tennis player had a sexual relationship with him, which later ended.
In a post about half an hour after the publication, Pcheng Shui wrote that she had no evidence for her claim. No one in the global tennis community has heard of her since.
“Recent news from China regarding WTA player Pcheng Shui is very worrying for us. Pcheng Shui, like all women, deserves to be heard, not censored,” said WTA Tour Chief Steve Simon. “Her accusations about the behavior of a former Chinese politician involving sexual assault must be taken with the utmost seriousness,” he added.
In 2014, Pcheng Shui became the world’s first Chinese tennis player in doubles. During her career, she won two singles tournaments and 23 doubles tournaments, including Wimbledon 2013 and Roland Garros 2014. She also advanced to the US Open singles semifinals seven years ago.
Statement from Steve Simon, Chairman & CEO, WTA
WTA seeks full, fair and transparent investigation into sexual assault allegations against former Chinese leader and also calls for end of censorship against Peng Shuai.
– wta (@WTA) November 14, 2021
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