Tennis scandal! The former world number one has been missing for two weeks

Peng Shuai has accomplished a lot during her tennis career. In 2014, she even became the world number one in doubles. However, in early November, she posted on social media that a former Chinese politician had sexually harassed her. She has been missing ever since.

Peng Shuai has been on the WTA circuit since 2001. Her best singles ranking was in August 2011, when she was ranked 14th. She won two titles during her professional career and her best Grand Slam result was a semifinal at the US Open.

She was even slightly better in doubles. Here she managed to collect 23 tournament championships and in 2014 she was also the world number one. At all grand slams she reached the semi-finals, but only managed to dominate the French Open and Wimbledon.

On November 2, she decided to post on the social network Weibo (similar to Twitter) that a former Chinese politician had sexually harassed her. However, this only happened after their seven-year relationship ended.

The post was deleted after half an hour and the Chinese tennis player has not been seen since. This disturbing news, of course, also reached Andrea Sestina Hlavackova, who played some tournaments with Shuai.

“I have no information about her, basically like the whole world. She was very specific. There were a lot of cultural differences, different language, we didn’t speak English together either. I didn’t have a very close relationship with her, but when I read about it, it makes me very anxious,” Hlaváčková said.

Novak Djokovic, who is currently playing in the Tournament of Champions in Turin, was also asked about this topic. “I am shocked that Peng Shuai is missing. He’s someone I’ve seen on the circuit a few times over the past few years. I hope he can be found,” he said.

Steve Simon, the WTA chairman, also commented on the whole situation. “The WTA is seeking a full, fair and transparent investigation into the sexual assault allegations against the former Chinese politician and is also calling for an end to the censure against Peng Shuai,” the statement read.

It also added positive information. “We have received information from multiple sources, including the Chinese Tennis Association, that he is safe and facing no physical threats. She is said to be in Beijing, but I cannot confirm this as I have not spoken directly to her,” Simon concluded.

Source: Wikipedia, Twitter, WTA