The tennis organization WTA demands that the Chinese authorities investigate the incident "thoroughly, fairly, transparently and without censorship."

"Our highest and unshakable priority is the safety and health of our players.

We speak out so that justice can be done, "said WTA President Steve Simon in a statement.

A spokesman for Chinese Foreign Minister Zhaoi Lijian said on Monday that he had not heard anything about the "issue" and that it was not a diplomatic matter.

Peng, former world number two in doubles and one of China's most famous athletes, wrote recently on social media that a former member of China's highest decision-making body, the Politburo, forced her to have sex.

They must then have started a relationship with each other.

Posts deleted

In the post, which was deleted after only half an hour, Peng writes that there is no evidence to support the accusation.

Although the post was deleted shortly after it was published, screenshots have been shared across different messaging platforms.

Peng, 35, has not been heard from since.

Under the hashtag #WhereIsPengShuai, former tennis star Chris Evert, among others, has shared his concern for the Chinese.

"I've known Peng since she was 14: we should be worried;

this is serious;

where is she?

Is she safe?

All information is appreciated. "

writes Evert on Twitter.

Another former superstar, Martina Navratilova, writes on Twitter that she is behind the WTA's position on the issue.

Received insurance

WTA base Steve Simon tells the New York Times that no one on the tour has spoken directly to Peng but that he has received assurances from the Chinese Tennis Federation that she is safe and "not physically threatened".

During his career, Peng won the doubles tournaments at Wimbledon and the French Open.

CLIP: Asia correspondent on the missing tennis star (5 Nov 2021)

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Peng Shuai during the WTA tournament in England 2018. Photo: Bildbyrån