Osaka and Djokovic express concern over disappearance and safety of fellow Chinese tennis star

Two of the world’s top tennis players spoke out this week about the continued disappearance of Chinese tennis star Peng Shuai, who has not been heard from since accusing a high-level Chinese official of sexual assault on social media earlier this month. 

Japanese four-time Grand Slam winner Naomi Osaka posted a statement of support to Twitter on Tuesday under the hashtag #WhereIsPengShuai. 

“Not sure if you’ve been following the news but I was recently informed of a fellow tennis player that has gone missing shortly after revealing that she has been sexually abused,” the post reads. “Censorship is never ok at any cost.” 

Osaka also expressed hope that Peng and her family are “safe and ok.” 

She is joined by Novak Djokovic, the current men’s No. 1 player in the world. AFP reported that he found it “shocking” that a fellow player he had seen on tour regularly had gone missing, saying, “I can imagine how her family feels, you know, that she’s missing.” 

Peng Shuai was the first Chinese player to be ranked No. 1 in doubles by the Women’s Tennis Association in 2014, before stepping away due to injuries. She returned in 2016, won her first WTA singles title at the Tianjin Open and was an active competitor until tournaments were shuttered by COVID. 

On November 2, she posted to her Weibo account that Zhang Gaoli, former vice premier and member of China’s powerful Politburo, forced her into having sex three years ago. It was deleted 20 minutes later. All subsequent coverage has been censored and Peng has not made any public statements or appearances since.

Women’s Tennis Association CEO and chairman Steve Simon called for a “full, fair and transparent investigation” into Peng’s allegations on Sunday. The Chinese Tennis Association has assured him that she was safe “and not under any physical threat,” according to the New York Times. 

This places the WTA at odds with their business interests in China, where they have expanded aggressively over the last decade. However, WTA matches were broadcast without disruption in China on the day of the statement. 

The Chinese Foreign Ministry has been dismissive of any inquiries about Peng’s allegations and whereabouts, according to the Associated Press. Its spokesperson Zhao Liajian responded to a question on Monday that “it is not a diplomatic question.”