Sinister question Ash Barty can’t answer about Peng Shuai

The world’s best tennis players have been asked about the safety of China’s Peng Shuai, with Ash Barty unable to answer one particular question.

The world’s biggest tennis stars at the Australian Open have been asked what they know about the safety of Chinese player Peng Shuai.

And while there is still clear concern, it appears they don’t know much at all.

Peng, a former Wimbledon and French Open doubles champion, took to Chinese social media site Weibo in November last year to allege that former vice-premier Zhang Gaoli forced her into sex during an on-off relationship spanning several years.

She was not heard from for weeks, sparking fears about her wellbeing, and then reappeared to deny making the allegations of sexual assault saying her social media post in November was misinterpreted.

There have been calls within the industry for more transparency from Beijing over Peng’s whereabouts, with concerns she is being censored.

Women’s Tennis Association Tour chairman Steve Simon announced last month the women’s tennis circuit was suspending all tournaments in China over concerns about the safety of Peng.

Mystery surrounds the sexual assault allegations Peng Shuai denied making against a Communist Party leader. Picture: Eric Feferberg / AFP

Speaking after her win on Wednesday, Australian star Ash Barty said the tennis community had come together to look out for Peng’s safety and hoped she was doing OK.

“Hopefully it’s not too long until we see her back out here,” Barty said.

A reporter then asked whether Barty was concerned that there was something sinister at play, but she couldn’t answer.

“I’ve got no idea. Without the information, I can’t answer that question,” Barty responded.

Ash Barty said she had “no idea” if something sinister was at play in regards to Peng's situation. Picture: Australian Open YouTube

Fellow Australian tennis player Nick Kyrgios said he believed “obviously” something wasn’t right with the situation but admitted he didn’t know much about it.

“Obviously if that’s still something that’s ongoing it needs to be found out and kind of, I guess, we need more awareness about it. We can’t forget about her,” Kyrgios said.

“We have to use our platforms as athletes. I think we’re obligated to do that, we’re obligated to speak up and, you know, get to the root of what’s happening and why it’s happening.”

Belarusian tennis player Victoria Azarenka, who is on the WTA Player Council, said the main goal was hearing from Peng personally.

“There hasn’t been that much development in terms of contact with Peng Shuai even though from our side we will continue to make any and all efforts to make sure that she is safe, she feels comfortable,” Azarenka said.

“Hopefully we will get to hear from her personally at some point. I think that’s the goal, the main goal right now.”

Victoria Azarenka, who is on the WTA Player Council, said there was no new developments on Peng’s safety. Picture: Brandon Malone / AFP

Japan’s Naomi Osaka also said she hadn’t heard any news.

“I’m not sure if that’s concerning or not,” she said. “But I think the WTA, the whole organisation, they handled it really well. I’m really proud of them.

“I feel like it’s a situation where we need more information, which is definitely really hard.

Kind of, I think everyone is waiting.”

Spain’s Rafael Nadal said he had heard that Peng was fine.

“I heard that she’s okay when I am asking here on the tour. I heard that she’s fine. That’s the most important thing,” he said.

“I just expect that she’s healthy and she’s free to be back on the tour and she’s free to do whatever she wants to do. That’s the only thing that I really hope. I wish her all the best.”