Serena Williams Joins Calls To Find Missing Tennis Player
Serena Williams is the latest celebrity to speak out about the missing Chinese tennis star Peng Shuai.
“I am devastated and shocked to hear about the news of my peer, Peng Shuai,” Williams wrote on Twitter. “I hope she is safe and found as soon as possible. This must be investigated and we must not stay silent. Sending love to her and her family during this incredibly difficult time.”
I am devastated and shocked to hear about the news of my peer, Peng Shuai. I hope she is safe and found as soon as possible. This must be investigated and we must not stay silent. Sending love to her and her family during this incredibly difficult time. #whereispengshuai pic.twitter.com/GZG3zLTSC6
— Serena Williams (@serenawilliams) November 18, 2021
Williams’ tweet was joined with the trending hashtag “#whereispengshuai” and a photo of the world champion tennis star.
Shuai has been missing for two weeks after the athlete accused a former high-ranked Chinese official of sexual assault.
Per USA Today: “In a now-deleted post, Shuai detailed her encounters with Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli and accused Gaoli of coercing her into sex at his home three years ago. The social media account on Weibo – China’s Twitter-like platform, on which the post was made – has since been disabled.”
Four-time Grand Slam Champion Naomi Osaka also expressed her concerns for the fellow tennis player penning a thoughtful letter on censorship to Twitter.
“Censorship is never OK at any cost, I hope Peng Shuai and her family are safe and OK,” she wrote on Twitter Tuesday. “I’m in shock of the current situation and I’m sending love and light her way.”
. #WhereIsPengShuai pic.twitter.com/51qcyDtzLq
— NaomiOsaka大坂なおみ (@naomiosaka) November 16, 2021
Shuai is one of China’s most successful tennis stars, having won two major doubles titles – at Wimbledon in 2013 and the French Open in 2014.
