‘A terrible story’: Stosur says tennis hasn’t forgotten Peng Shuai

Australian tennis great Sam Stosur says players around the world want to see that Chinese star Peng Shuai is safe as the WTA continues to demand contact with the former world No.1 doubles player.

But the 37-year-old former World No.1 and US Open winner said her heart ached for Peng, who she has regularly played against throughout her career.

Sam Stosur speaks to the media on Wednesday.Credit: Getty Images

The WTA and many of the world’s leading tennis stars have demanded Peng be able to speak with tennis authorities and confirm her wellbeing following a weeks-long public absence in the wake of her accusations that a former senior politician sexually assaulted her.

In November, Peng had a video call with the president of the International Olympic Committee following weeks of rising pressure on the IOC to intervene in Peng’s case and a choreographed international release of videos of the 35-year-old by Chinese state media in an attempt to prove that she was safe.

Photos and videos of Peng at a tournament in Beijing had done little to dampen international concerns. The IOC has been accused of being complicit in the Chinese government’s alleged coercion as the call did not publicly address her claims of sexual assault.

“It’s a terrible story, what is unfolding with Peng Shuai,” Stosur said.

Peng Shuai at Wimbledon in 2018. Credit: AP

“We played many, many times on tour. All the players know who she was as she has won grand slams and been No.1 in the world in doubles.

“From the players’ point of view and the tour, we just want her to be safe and hopefully everything is OK, but things are unfolding and we just have to wait and see how that plays out.

“We are all thinking of her and hoping that everything will be OK.”

The European Union called on Beijing to show proof of Peng’s wellbeing on Tuesday, adding its voice to international concern about her fate.

“The EU joins growing international demands, including by sport professionals, for assurances that she is free and not under threat,” the EU’s foreign service said in a statement.

“The EU requests the Chinese government to provide verifiable proof of Peng Shuai’s safety, wellbeing and whereabouts,” the statement said.

The bloc also urged that the Chinese authorities carry out a “full, fair and transparent investigation into her allegations of sexual assault”.

Stosur was speaking in Melbourne on Wednesday as Tennis Australia celebrated a 37 per cent increase in adults and 29 per cent increase in children playing the sport to June 30 this year.

She confirmed she began training on Wednesday with a view to playing both the singles and doubles in what could be her final Australian Open in January.

“Chances are it probably will be the last time,” Stosur said.

“I’ve just done my first day back training today. I’m seeing how things go.

“I had a little run around in preparation and lead-up to a big summer hopefully.

“My knees are a bit sore, but I actually hit pretty well considering I’ve had two weeks off.

“I always love getting back on court. Pre-seasons can be a bit brutal, but I’ve done enough of them now that it doesn’t take too long to get back into it.”

Stosur said the majority of players had taken their COVID-19 vaccines and would continue to abide by health protocols to keep the tour going despite opposition to vaccine mandates from men’s superstar Novak Djokovic, who has refused to disclose his vaccination status and may avoid travelling to Melbourne Park.

“It’s not just going to be in Australia, it’s probably going to be a worldwide thing for us to play on tour and in many other countries,” Stosur said.

“The sport needs to create the safest environment possible for the bulk, the majority of players. Going through this is not what anyone wants to be doing but sometimes the consensus for the group is how it needs to go.

“We travel the world, we are in different environments, if that is what the tours and tournaments deem necessary then we need to do what we can to keep the sport going.”

Stosur’s compatriot, Tokyo Olympian Ellen Perez, is looking to press her claims to play singles and doubles at Melbourne Park but was quick to talk up Stosur’s chances at the Open after training with her.

“Sam is looking better than alright, she is hitting really well,” Perez said.

“She will be back and ready for the singles event, don’t you worry.”

with Reuters

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