In an interview with L’Equipe, tennis player Peng Shuai labelled sexual assault allegations against a former Chinese party leader a “huge misunderstanding”.
On November 2, Peng shared an essay on Chinese social platform Weibo detailing her relationship with former Vice-Premier Zhang Gaoli, in which she revealed that on more than one occasion she felt coerced into sex.
Following the allegations, Peng went silent and disappeared from public view which raised multiple cause for concerns about her wellbeing.
In the interview with the French publication, she continued to deny the allegations having done so prior.
“I would like to know: why such concern? I never said anyone sexually assaulted me,” she said.
Peng deleted the post around 30 minutes after it was published because she “wanted to”.
She continued: “The post has given rise to a huge misunderstanding from the outside world. I hope that the meaning of this post will no longer be twisted, and I hope that we don’t add more hype to this.”
The former world number one doubles player went on to hint that she could be ready to call time on her playing career.
“Considering my age, my multiple surgeries and the pandemic that forced me to stop for so long, I believe it will be very difficult to regain my physical level.”
She has since been pictured enjoying the Beijing 2022 Winter Games.
You can find more celebrity news on our website and iOS & Android application.