“Why such concern? I never disappeared” Peng Shuai comes out with SHOCKING admissions
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Peng Shuai
Former World No. 1 in doubles, Peng Shuai had rocked the entire world in November 2021 when she came forward on China’s social media handle ‘Weibo’ and accused China’s senior politician and Vice-Premier Zhang Gaoli of having forced her into a relationship and assaulted her on multiple occasions a decade ago.
The post was however deleted in just 30 minutes after global media got to know about the post and questions were raised on China and Gaoli over the post. While the WTA and media channels across the world tried to get in touch with Peng, no contact could be made with the player who was not heard or seen for the next 3 weeks.
During this time, an email was received by WTA that claimed to be from the player wherein she said that the allegations made were false and she is safe and secure. The WTA did not however believe it and continued to make attempts to contact her. The entire episode however seems to have ended with the recent interview of the player.
“First of all, I would like to thank all the ATP and WTA players, all the athletes and all the personalities in large numbers who cared about me. But I didn’t think there would be such concern and I would like to know: why such concern? I never disappeared, everyone could see me.
“What happened – I already answered this question, during an interview in Shanghai as well as by an email addressed to the WTA, and many other emails. This post has given rise to a huge misunderstanding from the outside world. I hope that we no longer distort the meaning of this post. And I also hope that we don’t add more hype to this. I never said anyone sexually assaulted me,” said Peng in her latest video interview with L’Equipe.
Peng Shuai blames computer malfunction for lack of contact with anyone
While the global media started with the movement ‘Where is Peng Shuai‘, WTA made the bold decision of cancelling all the tournaments that were scheduled in China and Hong Kong as the Chinese government-backed by the International Olympic Committee presented what looked like a ‘cover-up’ job of the facts.
“I never disappeared. It’s just that a lot of people, like my friends, including from the IOC, messaged me, and it was quite impossible to reply to so many messages. But with my close friends, I always remained in close contact. I discussed with them, answered their emails, I also discussed with the WTA.
“But, at the end of the year, their website’s communication computer was changed and many players had difficulty logging in at that time. But we always kept in touch with colleagues. That’s why I don’t know why the information that I had disappeared, spread,” added Peng during her interview blaming the WTA’s computer change as the cause of her cease of communication.
While this certainly clears China of the entire case, it remains the WTA’s decision whether they decide to lift the ban on the tournaments in China that was backed by ITF as well who also decided to suspend their tournaments in China.
Also Read: Peng Shuai meets IOC President in Beijing amidst growing concerns about her safety
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Sarthak Shitole
(3462 Articles Published)