Peng Shuai: WTA President Steve Simon is ready to withdraw from China if there is no tennis star
“We’re definitely ready to pull our business and deal with all the complications that come with it,” Simon said in an interview Thursday with CNN. “Because this is definitely, this is bigger than business,” added Simon.
“Women need to be respected and not censored,” says Simon.
Peng, one of China’s most famous sports stars, has not appeared in public since she accused former Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli of forcing her to have sex at his own home, according to screenshots. Image of a social media post that was deleted on 11/2.
Her post on Weibo, China’s Twitter-like platform, was deleted within 30 minutes of publication, with Chinese censors quickly working to remove any mention of the allegation online. Her Weibo account, which has more than half a million followers, remains blocked from searchers on the platform.
In the early hours of Wednesday morning local time, China’s state broadcaster CGTN released an email, purportedly from Peng and sent to Simon, rebutting her sexual accusations and affirming her Still fine.
When asked about the email, Simon questioned its authenticity, describing it as a “staged statement of some sort.”
“Whether she was forced to write it, someone wrote it for her, we don’t know. But at this point, I don’t think there’s any value in it and we won’t. relaxed until he had a chance to talk to her,” he added.
On Thursday, Serena Williams joined a growing number of international tennis players to voice concerns about Shuai’s whereabouts.
Williams said: “I am deeply saddened and shocked to hear 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 remain silent. Sending love to her and her family during this extremely difficult time.”
This is a developing story, more to come.
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