The great hope amid 'terrible' Peng Shuai saga

2 years ago 283

Australian tennis large Sam Stosur says players astir the globe privation to beryllium definite that China's Peng Shuai is safe, arsenic the WTA continues to combat for clarity connected the situation.

But Stosur, who's faced Shuai galore times connected the tour, conceded it's a "terrible story".

Stosur's comments travel those of WTA brag Steve Simon respective days ago, who said helium remained "deeply concerned" astir the whereabouts of Shuai and her quality to "communicate freely, openly and directly".

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Peng disappeared from the public's presumption connected November 2 aft alleging connected societal media that erstwhile Chinese vice-premier Zhang Gaoli had sexually assaulted her.

Peng Shuai disappeared from the public's presumption successful November aft alleging that a erstwhile high-profile Chinese person had sexually assaulted her. (Tim Ireland)

Her disappearance, coupled with the attempts of Chinese authorities media to beryllium she is harmless done the merchandise of contentious photos and videos, person made it wide that the authorities is silencing her to support the institution.

"It's a unspeakable story, what is unfolding with Peng Shuai," Stosur said.

"We played many, galore times connected tour. All the players cognize who she was arsenic she has won expansive slams and been No.1 successful the satellite successful doubles.

"From the players' constituent of presumption and the tour, we conscionable privation her to beryllium safe, and hopefully everything is OK.

"But things are unfolding and we conscionable person to hold and spot however that plays out.

"We are each reasoning of her and hoping that everything volition beryllium OK."

Sam Stosur has addressed the Peng Shuai saga. (AP)

Stosur addressed the media successful Melbourne contiguous arsenic Tennis Australia revealed a 37 per cent summation successful adults and 29 per cent summation successful children playing the athletics to June 30 this year.

The erstwhile satellite No.1 and 2011 US Open champion is preparing for what looms arsenic her last Australian Open, astatine Melbourne Park successful January.

"Chances are it astir apt volition beryllium the past time," Stosur said.

"I've conscionable done my archetypal time backmost grooming today.

"I'm seeing however things go.

New video of missing tennis prima Peng Shuai emerges

"I had a small tally astir successful mentation and lead-up to a large summertime hopefully.

"My knees are a spot sore, but I really deed beauteous good considering I've had 2 weeks off.

"I ever emotion getting backmost connected court. Pre-seasons tin beryllium a spot brutal, but I've done capable of them present that it doesn't instrumentality excessively agelong to get backmost into it."

Stosur is aiming to vie successful the singles and doubles astatine the Australian Open.

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