WTA calls for inquiry into tennis star’s sexual assault claims against ex-Chinese vice premier

WTA calls for inquiry into tennis star’s sexual assault claims against ex-Chinese vice premier

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China’s Shuai Peng of China at the 2020 Australian Open in Melbourne. Photo: Fred Lee/Getty Images

The Women’s Tennis Association on Sunday called on Chinese officials to investigate player Peng Shuai’s allegations that China’s former Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli sexually assaulted her.

Why it matters: WTA CEO Steve Simon took the extraordinary step of issuing a statement calling for a “full, fair and transparent investigation” and an “end of censorship” against the former world no. 1 doubles player, who made the allegations in a since-deleted online post.

  • The WTA risks putting its lucrative business relationship with China’s government in jeopardy, with 11 tournaments and a long-term tour finals agreement, per the New York Times.
  • Peng, 35, hasn’t been seen in public nor made any further statements since her Nov. 2 Weibo social media post, CNN notes. Neither officials from the Chinese government nor the China Tennis Association have commented on the allegations.

The big picture: Peng alleged on her Weibo account that Zhang “coerced” her to have sex with him and that they had an intermittent consensual relationship for about 10 years, according to screenshots translated by CNN.

  • Peng became in 2014 the first Chinese tennis player to be given a top doubles ranking after winning doubles matches at Wimbledon in 2013 and the French Open in 2014, Reuters notes.
  • Zhang, 75, served on the ruling Chinese Communist Party’s Politburo Standing Committee, China’s most powerful body, from 2012 to 2017 and served as vice premier from 2013 until his retirement in 2018.

What they’re saying: “Peng Shuai, and all women, deserve to be heard, not censored,” Simon said in his statement.

  • “Her accusation about the conduct of a former Chinese leader involving a sexual assault must be treated with the utmost seriousness.”
  • Simon also said that he understands that Peng is in Beijing, but added “I can’t confirm that because I haven’t spoken directly with her,” per the NYT.

Sign up for our daily briefingMake your busy days simpler with Axios AM/PM. Catch up on what’s new and why it matters in just 5 minutes.Catch up on the day’s biggest business storiesSubscribe to Axios Closer for insights into the day’s business news and trends and why they matterSign up for Axios Pro RataDive into the world of dealmakers across VC, PE and M&A with Axios Pro Rata. Delivered daily to your inbox by Dan Primack and Kia Kokalitcheva.Sports news worthy of your timeBinge on the stats and stories that drive the sports world with Axios Sports. Sign up for free.Tech news worthy of your timeGet our smart take on technology from the Valley and D.C. with Axios Login. Sign up for free.Get the inside storiesGet an insider’s guide to the new White House with Axios Sneak Peek. Sign up for free.Catch up on coronavirus stories and special reports, curated by Mike Allen everydayCatch up on coronavirus stories and special reports, curated by Mike Allen everydayWant a daily digest of the top Denver news?Get a daily digest of the most important stories affecting your hometown with Axios DenverWant a daily digest of the top Des Moines news?Get a daily digest of the most important stories affecting your hometown with Axios Des MoinesWant a daily digest of the top Twin Cities news?Get a daily digest of the most important stories affecting your hometown with Axios Twin CitiesWant a daily digest of the top Tampa Bay news?Get a daily digest of the most important stories affecting your hometown with Axios Tampa BayWant a daily digest of the top Charlotte news?Get a daily digest of the most important stories affecting your hometown with Axios CharlotteWant a daily digest of the top Nashville news?Get a daily digest of the most important stories affecting your hometown with the Axios Nashville newsletter.Want a daily digest of the top Columbus news?Get a daily digest of the most important stories affecting your hometown with the Axios Columbus newsletter.Want a daily digest of the top Dallas news?Get a daily digest of the most important stories affecting your hometown with the Axios Dallas newsletter.Want a daily digest of the top Austin news?Get a daily digest of the most important stories affecting your hometown with the Axios Austin newsletter.Want a daily digest of the top Atlanta news?Get a daily digest of the most important stories affecting your hometown with the Axios Atlanta newsletter.Want a daily digest of the top Philadelphia news?Get a daily digest of the most important stories affecting your hometown with the Axios Philadelphia newsletter.Want a daily digest of the top Chicago news?Get a daily digest of the most important stories affecting your hometown with the Axios Chicago newsletter.Sign up for Axios NW ArkansasStay up-to-date on the most important and interesting stories affecting NW Arkansas, authored by local reportersWant a daily digest of the top DC news?Get a daily digest of the most important stories affecting your hometown with the Axios DC newsletter. China’s Shuai Peng of China at the 2020 Australian Open in Melbourne. Photo: Fred Lee/Getty ImagesThe Women’s Tennis Association on Sunday called on Chinese officials to investigate player Peng Shuai’s allegations that China’s former Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli sexually assaulted her.Why it matters: WTA CEO Steve Simon took the extraordinary step of issuing a statement calling for a “full, fair and transparent investigation” and an “end of censorship” against the former world no. 1 doubles player, who made the allegations in a since-deleted online post.The WTA risks putting its lucrative business relationship with China’s government in jeopardy, with 11 tournaments and a long-term tour finals agreement, per the New York Times.Peng, 35, hasn’t been seen in public nor made any further statements since her Nov. 2 Weibo social media post, CNN notes. Neither officials from the Chinese government nor the China Tennis Association have commented on the allegations.The big picture: Peng alleged on her Weibo account that Zhang “coerced” her to have sex with him and that they had an intermittent consensual relationship for about 10 years, according to screenshots translated by CNN.Peng became in 2014 the first Chinese tennis player to be given a top doubles ranking after winning doubles matches at Wimbledon in 2013 and the French Open in 2014, Reuters notes.Zhang, 75, served on the ruling Chinese Communist Party’s Politburo Standing Committee, China’s most powerful body, from 2012 to 2017 and served as vice premier from 2013 until his retirement in 2018.What they’re saying: “Peng Shuai, and all women, deserve to be heard, not censored,” Simon said in his statement. “Her accusation about the conduct of a former Chinese leader involving a sexual assault must be treated with the utmost seriousness.”Simon also said that he understands that Peng is in Beijing, but added “I can’t confirm that because I haven’t spoken directly with her,” per the NYT.

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