Peng note ‘hard to believe’

THE head of the women’s tour last night dismissed a ‘statement’ from missing Chinese tennis player Peng shuai claiming that she is safe and well. WTA chief executive steve simon was responding to quotes attributed to her, which emerged via the country’s official media. the WTA have been trying to reach Peng (right) since she posted on social media earlier this month, making an allegation of sexual assault against a senior member of the communist party. the post was erased within 30 minutes. now a statement purporting to be from the former Wimbledon doubles champion rubbishes concerns about her welfare, saying: ‘I’m not missing nor am I unsafe. I’ve just been resting at home and everything is fine. the news, including the allegation of sexual assault, is not true.’ But simon said last night: ‘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

Peng actually wrote the email or believes what is being attributed to her. Peng displayed incredible courage in describing an allegation of sexual assault against a former top official in the Chinese government. the WtA and the rest of the world need independent and verifiable proof that she is safe. ‘I have tried repeatedly to reach her via numerous forms of communications, to no avail.’ Former world no 1 naomi osaka joined the calls for answers on Peng, saying: ‘I’m in shock of the current

situation and I’m sending love and light her way.’