Novak Djokovic shocked by Peng Shuais disappearance after MeToo charges

Tennis ace Novak Djokovic expressed his shock on Monday over the ‘disappearance’ of Chinese tennis player Peng Shuai, who has been missing since accusing a powerful politician of sexual assault. 

Peng claimed earlier this month that former Vice-Premier Zhang Gaoli assaulted her, marking the first time the #MeToo movement has hit the ruling Communist Party’s highest levels. 

Officials in China have refused to comment on the whereabouts of the former world number one doubles player. The Chinese internet has been scrubbed of details about her allegations.

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“I don’t have much information about it, I did hear about it a week ago, and honestly it’s shocking that she’s missing. More so that it’s someone that I’ve seen on the tour in previous years quite a few times,” Djokovic told reporters after winning his ATP Finals opener against Casper Ruud.

“There’s not much more to say than to hope that she’s ok and it’s just terrible… I can imagine how her family feels, you know, that she’s missing.”

Earlier on Monday, ATP chairman Andrea Gaudenzi expressed his “deep concern” about the “uncertainty surrounding the immediate safety and whereabouts of WTA player Peng Shuai,” despite being “encouraged” by recent assurances from the WTA that she is safe and accounted for. 

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Djokovic also addressed the controversy surrounding his post-match comments in Italian at the ATP Finals in Turin, where he was honoured for finishing the season as the world number one for the record seventh time. 

Some believed he had announced his retirement in two years, but Djokovic insisted that non-Italian speakers had misunderstood him.

“I just don’t think that’s round the corner, so to say. I still feel like I have years left in my legs and in my heart and in my head,” said Djokovic.

“As long as that’s the case I’ll keep going because I truly love the sport. It challenges me and motivates me.”