Peng Shuai missing after accusing official of assault

[Bartelby]

I don't like to answer your questions as they involve speculation. You're happy to jump to speculation because you think you know China. You don't. That's why I advised Rudd or Keating. If you want a wider reading list, I'm happy to oblige.

You didn't answer anything I said.

 

[gogo]

We don't even know the fate of Peng, although you claim to have inside knowledge of her possible liquidation. You really need to start reading some Kevin Rudd and Paul Keating!

So do you care about the fate of Peng? (and I don't mean messages through government channels. I mean actual sitings of her away from Chinese government reach.) You don't seem to. You've spent all of your time here defending the Chinese government.
Do. You. Care. ??

 

[Arak]

Nothing will happen to her. She will disappear for two months and then reappear and will make a statement that she is sorry for whatever she has done. The same thing happened to Jack Ma. It probably takes a couple of months to clone someone in China

 

[bluetrain4]

Sure, I get that this topic could go to to Odds & Ends since it's not about Peng's tennis matches, tennis performance, etc. But, why can't it be in "General Pro Player Discussion"? I mean, we've waded into players' romantic and sexual relationships, recreational drug use and partying, lifestyles, families, off-court fashion (like the Met Gala thread), sexuality, mental health, and on and on. I can't see this topic being some sort of jumping the shark moment.

 

[Wander]

Nothing will happen to her. She will disappear for two months and then reappear and will make a statement that she is sorry for whatever she has done. The same thing happened to Jack Ma. It probably takes a couple of months to clone someone in China

Knowing about prior similar cases, yes, this is indeed the most likely outcome. Whatever the "nothing" is that happens during the months of being disappeared will remain a mystery.

 

[Arak]

Knowing about prior similar cases, yes, this is indeed the most likely outcome. Whatever the "nothing" is that happens during the months of being disappeared will remain a mystery.

It’s called re-education camps. Very popular destination for holidays!

 

[Nate7-5]

I don't like to answer your questions as they involve speculation. You're happy to jump to speculation because you think you know China. You don't. That's why I advised Rudd or Keating. If you want a wider reading list, I'm happy to oblige.

The "speculation" could easily be addressed with a video that doesnt look like she's being held hostage or something that isnt a f'ing screenshot of a Word document. What is your deal man? Do you stand with a woman who wants to tell her story or a surveillance/censorship state? Its not a difficult choice for many of us.

 

[Bartelby]

The Beijing Winter Olympics are less than two months away, so the matter will be resolved fully well before then.

 

[gogo]

The Beijing Winter Olympics are less than two months away so I'm focused solely on my sport as usual.

Thank you for the official comment from the Communist Party of China. I'm so glad you've made your stance clear, Comrade.

 

[Bender]

The Beijing Winter Olympics are less than two months away so I'm focused solely on my sport as usual.

The Beijing Winter Olympics has nothing to do with tennis, so I kindly suggest you self-moderate.

 

[Holdfast44ID]

Mods need to seriously stop deleting every thread on this, this is one of the largest tennis issues we’ve seen in years, perhaps decades. A former #1 player has literally vanished after accusing a high ranked official of sexual assault. Then the Chinese party tried to release a statement on her behalf saying all was fine which nobody believed. Lord knows where she is or if she’s even still alive.
#whereisPengShuai

And most tennis rackets are made in China. Bad to attack the supply chain?!?!

 

[Bartelby]

I made a comment on sport, so that is allowed under the rules. I suggest that you look them up!

The Beijing Winter Olympics has nothing to do with tennis, so I kindly suggest you self-moderate.

 

[MeatTornado]

This is a good test of whether there are any decent leather shoe style reporters still left in tennis besides Ben Rothenburg because every sports section should be leading with this.

A Google News search shows basically every major news outlet is writing about it. It's the #2 story on ESPN.com right now and it's prominently featured on the front page of CNN and BBC from my initial browsing.

How long they keep up with this story is another question, but I don't expect them to keep writing for long if there aren't any updates.

 

[Checkmate]

WTA Chairman Steve Simon's recent statement

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1461062506512846849

 

[Bender]

I made a comment on sport, so that is allowed under the rules. I suggest that you look them up!

Then take it over to O&E and start a thread over there, because this is the general pro player discussion board

 

[gogo]

I made a comment on sport, so that is allowed under the rules. I suggest that you look them up!

You're latest comment about Peng is that you didn't care about what might have happened to her. I hope I misconstrued your previous comments.
Do you care? Please let us know.

 

[MeatTornado]

Whether Roger might retire from the sport is considered tennis related since he's a tennis player.

But whether Peng is still alive to be able to ever play again somehow isn't tennis related...

 

[Bartelby]

My general point was made against a backdrop of frivolous comments that she had been kidnapped or killed. I've no concerns there.

See MeatTornado for another one on these alarmist posts that speculates on her murder, which I've quoted for your convenience.

You're latest comment about Peng is that you didn't care about what might have happened to her. I hope I misconstrued your previous comments.
Do you care? Please let us know.

Whether Roger might retire from the sport is considered tennis related since he's a tennis player.

But whether Peng is still alive to be able to ever play again somehow isn't tennis related...

 

[gogo]

.

 

[gogo]

My general point was made against a backdrop of frivolous comments that she had been kidnapped or killed. I've no concerns there.

See MeatTornado for another one on these alarmist posts that speculates on her murder, which I've quoted for your convenience.

So you won't answer the simple question as to whether you care if Peng Shuai is ok?
If not, that tells us a lot.

 

[Bartelby]

Everyone lies, as Dr Gregory House wisely stated, so I wouldn't bother to ask you that question.

So you won't answer the simple question as to whether you care if Peng Shuai is ok?
If not, that tells us a lot.

 

[tennis tom]

"...frivolous comments..."?--life is cheap in Bartland.

My general point was made against a backdrop of frivolous comments that she had been kidnapped or killed. I've no concerns there.

 

[gogo]

Everyone lies, as Dr Gregory House wisely stated, so I wouldn't bother to ask you that question.

So your answer is "no". Thanks for clarifying that you don't care about the well-being of Peng. We all clearly know where you stand now.

 

[Kralingen]

You two-faced hypocrite.

You politically whine like a bitter old queen at anything and everything coming out of the U.S. and at every turn...

Your Lebron-esque double standard duly noted you bibulous descendant of criminal sots.

man let's leave LeBron out of this. The real question should be why he was the one who had to speak in 2019, and why none of the Lakers players received support from any of his sponsors, coaches, or league officials. I think he got put into a bad situation, loves money, and is pretty good on American social justice issues but only in a reactive way. I just don't think he needs to be the voice of reason in every country on earth lol

Of course, anyone defending China here - for what appears to be either kidnapping or at least some sort of detainment of a star athlete there - is either trolling or simply deranged.

 

[Visionary]

We don't even know the fate of Peng

I know you have all your rights to come here but why? Could you stay away from this thread?

 

[Visionary]

I'm very impressed that the WTA has taken action here and their efforts should be applauded. I would also like to see the ATP tour join in and this get some coverage on ESPN, but the sponsor risk is much higher there

This truly sends a message to the Chinese powers and gives them sort of choices. I had a hard time believing in threats of sanctions or boycotts but I learnt they work in some circumstances. China loves tennis and invests in quite a bit. I think all those messages now will work for Peng Shuai soon.

 

[Mike Bulgakov]

it's not like she finished second to an Estonian team or something.

.................................

 

[jarko111]

I'm getting worried too. This issue and her safety transcend tennis and I hope she is ok.

Peng Shuai: Chinese state media release alleged email from tennis star amid worry over whereabouts - CNN

Very worrying after the "fake" email. Now the stakes are at a very scary level. I think there should be pressure on the WTA like none other.
I know she has love on this site. We've talked about her racquet history at insane, tennisnerd, rackaholic levels. Her style of play with two hands and how powerful and flat her groundstrokes are and were.
The match against Wozniaki was one of the most talked about matches in Women's tennis that year.
A lot of people on here for a lot of years have talked about this player. We might be one of the first places people find when they look her up on google past the recent headlines.

 

[jarko111]

I'm glad Hsieh got to at least let out some frustration she was having. I'm sure what she means is that people from that area of the world are having a harder time with customs right now. And that's not fair. That is political so I won't go on.

As far as her commenting on it. She can't. She'd not only put herself in danger.. and I won't go on because that can be seen as political.

About Russia - this information was brought about off site. Remember when celebrities not only from Russia but countries that were formally USSR were speaking out for no apparent reason against LGBT folk? Do you think half of those people really cared about the issue? Do you think everyone of those speakers believe in what they were saying? Is it true that Russian ladies on the WTA are being pressured to only play with women who are a certain "way?"
In figure skating, skaters that are male are pressured to marry right away - or make anti-LGBT statements as a matter of safety for themselves and others.

All that Russia stuff is very political. And I understand if that part of this post is removed. It is meant to serve a function to explain why Hsieh has to do what Hsieh has to do.

I guess my point is Hsieh should not be met with anger for protecting herself. I am sure her heart is breaking over this matter. I am sure this is not the first time her heart has broken over matters like this.

And none of this is meant to be anti China or Russia. The US isn't exactly sitting on a pedestal when it comes to matters like this. There is a definite shift in values and humanity right now.

 

[Mike Bulgakov]

Hopefully the WTA and international pressure will be firm and persistent until she is released and able to communicate directly with family and friends.

 

[tennis4me]

.

 

[RNadal]

How on earth can someone think this is political? I don’t know what’s worse, people’s stupidity on trying to create a divide on this issue or their pure belittling of women. That’s ridiculous.

 

[Third Serve]

Pretty revealing about the people trying to call this a political thread.

 

[Mainad]

Peng Shuai: Doubt cast on email from Chinese tennis star

Peng Shuai has not been heard from since she made sexual assault allegations against a top Chinese official.

www.bbc.co.uk

 

[Bartelby]

The Beijing Winter Olympics is less than two months away, so we're well into the silly season.

 

[jga111]

still unclear whether we should as yet be overly concerned.

Tennis is looking out for her just like a mother would look out for her missing child.

 

[One Handed Dynasty]

This is an important issue, and merely responding to Bartelby is letting him accomplish his and the CCP’s goal of diverting this threads focus. Since he has nothing useful or meaningful to say in any way whatsoever regarding this topic, I think the best practice would be to block or ignore him. That way the focus can go back on finding a missing person, who regardless of their history or country of origin, has a right to life and freedom.

 

[Azure]

Everyone lies, as Dr Gregory House wisely stated, so I wouldn't bother to ask you that question.

Is a binary question so hard to answer?

 

[Fedinkum]

I want to know if the Peng issue doesn’t get resolved or she is indefinitely disappeared, what will WTA or the players do during the china season next year. They can’t just pretend this is not happening...

edit: spelling

 

[FedrMatt]

I want to know if the Peng doesn’t resolved or ahe is indefinitely disappeared, what will WTA, or the players do during the china season next year. They can’t just pretend this is not happening...

Things are coming to a head with China, one way or another. I think the WTA would do well to suspend all tournaments there in the meantime (as well as the ATP), since the CCP is now an active threat to the players’ welfare should they say something even slightly critical.

Someone needs to make the first move, then the dominoes will hopefully fall.

 

[Bartelby]

America and China just had a virtual summit where they agreed to de-escalate tensions.

Things are coming to a head with China, one way or another. I think the WTA would do well to suspend all tournaments there in the meantime (as well as the ATP), since the CCP is now an active threat to the players’ welfare should they say something even slightly critical.

Someone needs to make the first move, then the dominoes will hopefully fall.

 

[Tshooter]

"The pandemic has shone a light on the WTA’s reliance on China, two years after it signed a 10-year agreement with China to stage the WTA Finals in Shenzhen, who built a 12,000-seat stadium in the city to stage the event.

In the September issue of French Tennis Magazine, WTA president Micky Lawler admitted that events of the past 18 months had been difficult for the WTA, which was so reliant on China for income.

“It’s true that having tournaments in China from September to the end of the season has very hard consequences for us,” Lawler said. “But China represents a big opportunity for the WTA and the choice allowed us to make big steps forwards. Covid could not be anticipated. Please name me one person who would have said no to China?

“This was an opportunity for the whole of women sports, with unprecedented prize money records. We were proud when we announced it and still are.”"

WTA “look forward to returning to China in 2022” - WTA to Tennis Majors

The WTA tour’s Chairman and CEO is looking forward to women’s tennis returning to China in 2022. His quotes to Tennis Majors

www.tennismajors.com

Spoiler

 

[Tshooter]

They’re ...

Let's not get duped into politics.

Where the heck is Peng Shuai.

 

[Tshooter]

I want to know if the Peng issue doesn’t get resolved or she is indefinitely disappeared, what will WTA or the players do during the china season next year. They can’t just pretend this is not happening...

edit: spelling

"After calling for an official investigation, Simon has threatened to move all WTA tournaments—altogether worth billions of dollars in business to the WTA, China, and other stakeholders—out of China if the country’s governing bodies don’t comply."

Tennis May Leave China If Peng Shuai Isn't Accounted For

WTA CEO Steve Simon Threatens To Pull Tournaments Out Of China

time.com

 

[Bartelby]

The WTA will be the big loser whereas it's a trivial loss for China. It's all soft power diplomacy, and not worth the price paid.

"After calling for an official investigation, Simon has threatened to move all WTA tournaments—altogether worth billions of dollars in business to the WTA, China, and other stakeholders—out of China if the country’s governing bodies don’t comply."

Tennis May Leave China If Peng Shuai Isn't Accounted For

WTA CEO Steve Simon Threatens To Pull Tournaments Out Of China

time.com

 

[Enceladus]

Famous tennis players' reactions to Peng Suai's disappearance:

Martina Navratilova:

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1461006863219179528

Novak Djokovic:

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1460284637863886851

Chris Evert:

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1459848382307086342

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1461002861521903620

Naomi Osaka:

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1460723353174433793

 

[Frenchy-Player]

Big silence of Federer Nadal and Williams...

 

[Azure]

The WTA will be the big loser whereas it's a trivial loss for China. It's all soft power diplomacy, and not worth the price paid.

But a bigger winner for humanity

 

[Azure]

Big silence of Federer Nadal and Williams...

I agree - the people who have the biggest clout have been tone deaf. Big thumbs down to these so called stars

 

[Frenchy-Player]

"Hello everyone"

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1461025491842916358