The international pressure on China in connection with the missing tennis player Peng Shuai is growing.

The United Nations (UN) spoke for the first time in this context on Friday.

“It would be important to have evidence of their whereabouts and well-being.

We would urge that there be an investigation with full transparency into their allegations of sexual assault, ”said Liz Throssell, spokeswoman for the UN human rights office in Geneva on Friday.

Previously, Steve Simon, head of the WTA players' organization, had not ruled out the possibility of withdrawing WTA tournaments from Peng Shuai China due to the still unclear situation.

"We are definitely ready to do this and would sort out any complications that this entails," the official said in a CNN interview.

Alleged mail from Shuai

It is estimated that the WTA could lose hundreds of millions of dollars in such a move.

But Simon made it clear: “This is bigger than business.

Women have to be respected and not censored. "

The concerns about the 35-year-old former world number one in doubles are great worldwide.

Peng Shuai wrote on the Twitter-like medium Weibo earlier this month that he had been sexually abused by former Vice Prime Minister Zhang Gaoli, 75.

The entry has been deleted, Peng has allegedly been missing for days.

On Wednesday, the Chinese media published an email that is said to have come from her.

“I am neither missed, nor am I not sure.

I only rest at home, everything is fine, ”it says.

Prominent companions like Alexander Zverev expressed concern.

“I hope it will be found soon,” said the Olympic champion at the ATP Finals in Turin: “We're not talking about a tennis match, we're talking about a human life.” Naomi Osaka wrote on Twitter: “I am shocked by the current situation and send her love and light. "

US tennis star Serena Williams was horrified.

“I am devastated and shocked by the news about my colleague Peng Shuai.

I hope it is safe and will be found as soon as possible ", wrote the 23-time Grand Slam winner on Twitter and demanded:" This must be investigated and we must not be silent. "

The German Olympic Sports Confederation has also reacted to the case.

"It needs clarity about their well-being and their current state," wrote the DOSB in a four-line tweet.

One follows "with concern the events surrounding the Olympian Peng Shuai".