Naomi Osaka joins the international care of Chinese tennis star Peng Shuai

By Helen Regan, Nectar Gan and Rhea Mogul, CNN

Tennis superstar Naomi Osaka has become the newest athlete to express concern over Peng Shui, who has not been seen in public since he accused the former Chinese head of state sexual violence.

“Censorship is never okay at any cost, I hope Peng Shuai and his family are safe and fit. I am shocked by the current situation and am sending love and light in his path, Osaka said on Twitter on Tuesday.

He added the hashtag #WhereIsPengShuai.

Peng, one of China’s best-known tennis stars, accused former Deputy Prime Minister Zhang Gaol of forcing him into sex at home, according to screenshots of social media messages deleted three years ago.

Peng’s message in Weibo, a platform like Twitter on China, was removed within 30 minutes of the release, and Chinese censors quickly rushed to wipe out any mention of the accusation online.

Peng has not been seen in public since the indictment and his whereabouts have not been made public. His Weibo account, which has more than half a million followers, is still blocked from platform applicants.

More and more international athletes have expressed concern for Peng.

Tennis legend and 39-time Grand Slam champion Billie Jean King said on Twitter: “Hoping that Peng Shuai will be found safe and that his accusations will be fully investigated.”

And former world number one Chris Evert said, “These accusations are very worrying.”

“I’ve known Peng since he was 14; we should all be concerned; This is serious; where is he? Is he safe? Any information would be welcome, “he said on Twitter.

On Sunday, the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) called on the Chinese government to investigate the matter allegations, insisted that the former number one player should be “heard, not censored”.

Inside something opinion, WTA President and CEO Steve Simon said Peng ‘s allegations were “deeply worrying” and the allegations must be investigated “fully, fairly, transparently and without censorship”.

“Peng Shuai and all women deserve to be heard, not censored,” Simon said. “His accusation of sexual abuse by a former Chinese leader must be taken extremely seriously.”

Former top investor Martina Navratilova, a Czech American tennis player, said she supported the WTA’s call to investigate. “Very strong attitude from the WTA – and the right attitude,” he said wrote On Twitter.

The ATP Tour, a global men’s top tennis tour, said in a statement on Monday that it was “encouraged by WTA’s recent assurances that (Peng) is safe and well-respected and will follow the situation closely”. No further information was provided on the veracity of the insurances or their issuers.

“Separately, we fully support the WTA’s call for a full, fair and transparent investigation into Peng Shuai’s sexual violence,” ATP chairman Andrea Gaudenzi said in a statement.

Zhang, 75, served on the seven-member Politburo Standing Committee of the ruling Communist Party – the country’s highest governing body – from 2012 to 2017 during the first term of Chinese leader Xi Jinping. He retired as Deputy Prime Minister in 2018.

In a message read as an open letter to Zhang, the 35-year-old tennis star claims a relationship that lasted at least 10 years.

“Why did you have to come back to me, took me home to force me to have sex with you?” he wrote.

Peng said he had no evidence to support his claims, and claimed Zhang was always worried he would save things.

“I couldn’t describe how disgusted I was, and how many times I asked myself if I’m still human? I feel like a walking body, Peng wrote.

CNN cannot independently confirm Peng’s message, and has contacted both him and the Chinese government, which is handling press inquiries into the central government.

A politically sensitive scandal

Peng’s explosive # MeToo allegations against the former head of state have resonated on China’s Internet despite attempts by the authorities to erase the mention of such a politically sensitive scandal.

And on Wednesday, China avoided media questions about Peng’s allegations against Zhang.

Zhao Lijian, a spokesman for China’s MOFA, suggested that reporters should contact the “competent department”, although reporters pointed out that the Ministry of Public Security did not respond.

Speaking at a news conference, Zhao was asked about the Women’s Tennis Association’s (WTA) concerns about Peng’s “safety and whereabouts” and whether the government intends to take action, to which Zhao said the matter “was not a diplomatic matter”, refusing to comment further.

The reporters in the room continued to put pressure on the subject, claiming that they had contacted the Department of Public Security to comment, but had not heard, leading to questions about which department the reporters should contact for more information.

“Do you think the State Department spokesman is omnipotent?” Zhao replied.

“You should go ask the relevant department,” Zhao added once again, avoiding the reporter’s question.

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CNN’s Beijing office participated in this report.