Serena Williams Says Peng Shuai Case Should Be Investigated
American great Serena Williams lends voice to the case of Chinese player Peng Shuai, says the case "must be investigated" and urged people "not to stay silent" about her welfare.
35-year-old Peng, has not been heard from since she made sexual assault allegations against a leading Chinese government official two weeks ago.
Chinese state media has released an email attributed to Peng, but doubt has been cast about its authenticity.
"I hope she is safe and found as soon as possible," said Serena Williams.
Concern for Peng's general welfare has continued to grow since she said she was "forced" into a sexual relationship with former China vice-premier Zhang Gaoli.
The allegations were made in a post on Chinese social media site Weibo on 3 November and soon deleted from China's internet.
The incident is the first time such claims have been made against a senior Chinese political leader.
Chairman of the Women's Tennis Association, Steve Simon said Peng deserved "to be heard, not censored" on the allegations.
Williams is one of many leading players to speak out about Peng's welfare, following men's world number one Novak Djokovic and Japan's four-time major winner Naomi Osaka.
Serena Williams Says Peng Shuai Case Should Be Investigated
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