Beng Shuai: The Chinese tennis player says she is safe and well in the video call but wants to respect privacy | tennis news

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The IOC said: “She has made it clear that she is fine and healthy, and lives at her home in Beijing, but wishes to respect her privacy at this time”; Ping’s safety has become a source of international concern after allegations of sexual assault were made against the former Chinese vice premier

Last update: 11/21/21 5:40 PM

Peng Shuai made sexual assault allegations against a senior minister in China earlier this month

After making a video call with the Chinese tennis player on Sunday, the International Olympic Committee said Peng Shuai says she is fine and in good health but wants her privacy respected.

A newly released video released by Chinese state media earlier allegedly shows Ping, the former Wimbledon doubles champion, at a tennis tournament in Beijing on Sunday morning.

Peng Shuai appeared at the opening ceremony of the final match of the youth tennis match in Beijing on Sunday morning. It was taken by Global Times photo reporter Cui Meng at the scene. pic.twitter.com/7wlBcTMgGy

– Hu Xijin (@HuXijin_GT) November 21, 2021

Peng’s safety, 35, has become an international concern since her disappearance after she made sexual assault allegations against former Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Qaoli two weeks ago.

The IOC, in a statement, said that at the start of the 30-minute call with its president, Thomas Bach, Ping thanked the IOC for its concern about her safety.

“She has made it clear that she is fine and in good health, and is living at her home in Beijing, but she wishes her privacy to be respected at this time,” the IOC said.

“That’s why she prefers to spend her time with friends and family for now. However, she will continue to participate in tennis, the sport that she loves so much.”

IOC Athletes Commission President Emma Terhu and IOC member Li Lingui, former vice president of the Chinese Tennis Association, were also on the call in what appeared to be Peng’s first direct contact with sports officials outside China since she disappeared from public view on November 2. .

On Saturday, photos showed Bing having dinner with her coach and friends in Beijing.

Pictures and videos posted on Saturday allegedly show Bing Shuai (third from right) in a restaurant. Pic: @li_ding1

Bing seems to be smiling and having fun. Pic: @li_ding1

The French foreign minister had earlier called on Chinese authorities to provide more reassurance about Peng’s well-being, echoing the Women’s Tennis Association’s statement on Saturday that the photos were “insufficient”.

“While it is positive to see her, it remains unclear whether she is free and able to make decisions and take action on her own, without coercion or outside interference,” WTA president Steve Simon said.

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US-based tennis journalist Ben Rothenberg has praised the WTA’s stance on China, amid growing concern about Peng Shuai’s whereabouts.

US-based tennis journalist Ben Rothenberg has praised the WTA’s stance on China, amid growing concern about Peng Shuai’s whereabouts.

Ping’s claim was posted on Chinese social networking site Weibo in early November, before the post was quickly deleted.

Neither Zhang nor the Chinese government has commented on her allegations.

The UK government said it was following the case closely and remained “extremely concerned”.

The WTA has threatened to withdraw tournaments from China and the ATP has demanded clarification from the Chinese authorities.

Serena Williams and Roger Federer are among the biggest sports names to have raised concerns about Peng’s well-being.

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Roger Federer hopes to receive positive news regarding Bing Shuai’s whereabouts amid ongoing concern around the world about her safety.

Roger Federer hopes to receive positive news regarding Bing Shuai’s whereabouts amid ongoing concern around the world about her safety.

Novak Djokovic, the men’s world number one, said he supported “100%” the WTA’s threat to cancel the China events.

He said: “The whole community, the tennis community needs to support her and her family, making sure she’s safe and sound because if you have tournaments on Chinese soil without resolving this situation, it’s going to be a little weird.”

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