Chinese tennis star Peng Shuai goes missing after sex assault allegation against politician

The Women’s Tennis Association chief executive Steve Simon has said that while they have received 'assurances' Peng Shuai is safe - but has not been able to reach her

Peng Shuai of China, file photo.

Former world No 1 tennis star Naomi Osaka has joined the growing calls for answers on the whereabouts of Chinese player Peng Shuai, who has not been heard from publicly since she accused the country’s former vice premier of sexually assaulting her.

Peng, one of China’s biggest sporting stars, made the claims in a Weibo post on November 2, in which she alleged Zhang Gaoli coerced her into sex and that they had an intermittent affair.