For the past two weeks, Chinese tennis legend Peng Shuai has been missing. Only yesterday were photos and videos of her surfaced online. On WeChat, one of China’s largest social media platforms, pictures of Peng Shuai with the caption of “happy weekend” were posted on her account. Yet the WTA (Women’s Tennis Association) claims that they are still worried about the safety and health of Peng, and wish to talk to her physically to confirm her well-being.
The 35-year-old has been the only Chinese player ever to attain a world #1 ranking in the sport, achieving the position playing women’s doubles with her doubles partner Hsieh Su-Wei of Taiwan. Along with Hsieh, the duo captured the 2013 Wimbledon crown, the oldest and most iconic international tennis tournament to date. They also won the 2014 French Open en route to claiming her #1 world ranking. She hasn’t played in over a year, and controversy had swept her previously when she tried using “financial incentives” to switch her doubles partner for the 2018 Wimbledon competition.
Two to three weeks ago, Peng accused a top government official of assaulting her, and since this remark, she has not been seen or heard from anyone. China has been known of having a “Communist-like” government for several years now, and this has not been the first case of the national government of simply ignoring the allegation.
The WTA is threatening of pulling out all of their tournaments in China if Peng Shuai is not safe, which could lead to over a billion-dollar loss for the country. Should the WTA go through with the boycott, China’s future in regards to international sporting events may be in jeopardy. With the 2022 Winter Olympics less than three months away, this incident very well could result in the refusal of participation for several countries and athletes. The White House and the UN (United Nations) are also breathing down China’s neck currently, asking for answers.
While the drama and news are surely real, it all comes down to the hope that Peng Shuai is safe, healthy, and in no situation of great danger or peril.
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