Andy Murray adds message of hope to concerns for Peng Shuai
Andy Murray is the latest top player to add their voice to calls for information about the safety of Chinese player Peng Shuai.
The former WTA doubles number one has not been seen publicly since 2nd November after making allegations of sexual assault against former vice premier Zhang Gaoli.
Peng Shuai accused Gaoli in a now deleted post on Chinese social media platform Weibo. Censors took the post down within 30 minutes of upload.
Online, the hashtag #WhereIsPengShuai has been gaining traction as those within and outside the tennis world call for Shuai’s wellbeing and information on her situation.
Three-time Slam champion and former ATP world number one Andy Murray has also joined the cause in a recent Twitter post.
“Female tennis player Peng Shuai’s whereabouts currently unknown after making sexual abuse allegations against Chinese government official,” Murray began.
“This speech gives us a reminder and some hope that things can change in the future.”
Along with the tweet Murray attached a speech from Barbora Krejcikova after winning the WTA Finals doubles this week.
She speaks of the Velvet Revolution from 17th November 1989 in then Czechoslovakia.
Female tennis player Peng Shuai whereabouts currently unknown after making Sexual abuse allegations against Chinese government official.
This speech gives us a reminder and some hope that things can change in the future 🙏 #WhereIsPengShuai https://t.co/eKnLCHcPLj— Andy Murray (@andy_murray) November 19, 2021
A letter was recently released purported to be written by Peng Shuai herself, stating she was not in danger and claiming the accusations made are false and were released without her consent.
“I have a hard time believing that Peng Shuai actually wrote the email we received or believes what is being attributed to her,” WTA CEO Steve Simon said of the letter.
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