Tennis player Peng Shuai, who disappeared after talking about violence by a high-ranking PRC official, appears in public

In the past, many tennis players and sports officials have expressed their concerns about the fate of Peng Shuai. The disclosures she made was the first time a member of the highest leadership of the Chinese Communist Party was publicly accused of sexual assault.

Two weeks ago, Peng Shuai posted on her Weibo account in which she accused former Vice Premier of the Chinese government Zhang Gaoli of forcing her to have sex for several years. The post was quickly removed, and the name of the Chinese tennis player was removed from the Chinese internet and social media. The athlete herself also disappeared.

The WTA has demanded a full and impartial investigation into Peng Shuai’s reports of sexual assault.

Later, the Chinese news channel CGTN published a letter from the tennis player, in which she denied reports of sexual abuse, saying that she had not disappeared and that everything was fine with her.

Women’s Tennis Association chairman Steve Simon said he doubted the authenticity of the tennis player’s email.

In the WTA rankings, Peng Shuai is ranked 306th in singles and 192nd in doubles. She was the first racket in the doubles category in the world, and the highest position in the singles – 14th. She has won two doubles Grand Slam tournaments.