Was Peng Shuai censored? Tennis pro takes U-turn, denies making sexual assault claim
In a dramatic twist, Chinese tennis star Peng Shuai has claimed that she had not accused the country’s former vice premier, Zhang Gaoli, of sexual assault. The surprising statement from the 35-year-old came after she disappeared for about three weeks. During her first interview since she made the accusation, Shuai told Singaporean news outlet Lianhe Zaobao on Sunday, December 20, “I need to stress one point that is extremely important - I have never said or written that anyone has sexually assaulted me. I have to clearly stress this point.”
She went on to state that the now-deleted post, which she shared on Chinese social media site Weibo, regulated and censored by the nation’s government, was a “private matter”. In the video interview, the tennis pro insisted that “people have many misunderstandings” about her November post, but did not say much or take Gaoli’s name. Shuai also claimed that for the past few weeks she was living at her Beijing house.
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However, the World Tennis Association (WTA) is not convinced with Shuai’s latest statement and said she is still under pressure and has no freedom to speak the truth. A spokesman stated, “We remain steadfast in our call for a full, fair and transparent investigation, without censorship, into her allegation of sexual assault, which is the issue that gave rise to our initial concern.”
Earlier, Shuai had accused Gaoli of physically assaulting her in 2018 while in the presence of his wife. In the November 2 social media post, she had shared that “I have no proof, and it would be impossible for me to keep any evidence. You denied everything afterward. That afternoon I originally did not consent and cried the whole time,” before adding, “Like an egg hitting a rock, or a moth to the flame, courting self-destruction, I'll tell the truth about you.” However, within thirty minutes, the post was reportedly taken down by state censors and Shuai’s Weibo page also went dark.
Shuai's Sunday interview came after in mid-November an email was shared by China’s state-controlled media. At the time, it was claimed that the mail was written by the star addressing Steve Simon, the WTA Chairman & CEO. It read, “Hello everyone this is Peng Shuai. Regarding the recent news released on the official website of the WTA, the consent has not been confirmed or verified by myself and it was released without my consent. The news in that release, including the allegation of sexual assault, is not true.”
The mail continued, “I’m not missing, nor am I unsafe. I've just been resting at home and everything is fine. Thank you again for caring about me. If the WTA publishes any more news about me, please verify it with me, and release it with my consent. As a professional tennis player, I thank you all for your companionship and consideration,” before Shuai concluded: “I hope to promote Chinese tennis with you all if I have the chance in the future. I hope Chinese tennis will become better and better. Once again, thank you for your consideration.”
But at that time also, WTA was doubtful about it. Simon had said, “The statement released today by Chinese state media concerning Peng Shuai only raises my concerns as to her safety and whereabouts. I have a hard time believing that Peng Shuai actually wrote the email we received or believes what is being attributed to her.”
He added, “Peng Shuai must be allowed to speak freely, without coercion or intimidation from any source. Her allegation of sexual assault must be respected, investigated with full transparency and without censorship. The voices of women need to be heard and respected, not censored nor dictated to.”