Novak Djokovic is not only one of the greatest tennis players in history for his incredible results, but he is also a great ambassador for tennis. Even if the Serbian sensation has a huge following in China, he fully backs the WTA in supporting Shuai Peng.
The Chinese player got missing after she stated in a post on Weibo that she was pressurized into sex by the former vice-premier of China, Zhang Gaoli. Eventually, her post was removed after less than half an hour and she disappeared.
The WTA CEO Steve Simon threatened China to cease the operations if there is no clarity about Shuai Peng’s current situation and if she is safe.
Naomi Osaka censored and Djokovic
It’s quite risky for a tennis player from a business point of view to raise his or her concern about the Shuai Peng’s situation. Naomi Osaka was censored in China for asking for transparency. That did not make Serena Williams shy away and also the American legend expressed her discomfort about the situation of the Chinese player.
When Novak Djokovic was asked about his position, he gave full support to the WTA, saying that he agrees 100% if the Women Tennis Association ceases its operations in China if there is no transparency over what has happened Shuai Peng.
Novak commented:
“I hope that she’s found and that she’s healthy and that everything is fine, at least the worst is avoided. I support the statement of the WTA as an organization and also their president absolutely.
The whole tennis community needs to back her up and her family and make sure that she is safe and sound. Because if you have tournaments on Chinese soil without resolving this situation, it would be a little bit strange, so I understand why the WTA has taken a stance like that.”
Djokovic has co-founded the so-called Professional Tennis Players Association. In this regard, he added:
“We must stand together, whether it’s a male or female player, whether it’s one player or more players who are experiencing something like this, it’s necessary and kind of logical that we stand behind our peers in trying to give support in one way or another.
To unite means to come together and figure out what action we can take. Not just players but players with ATP, WTA, but all the governing bodies of our sport and I’m really glad that there was an initiated reaction from both ATP and WTA chairmen because this is horrifying.
I hope for the sake of tennis and the sake of Chinese tennis that she is found because it’s terrible.”
Novak Djokovic in 2021
Currently ranked no.1, the Serbian played his last match on the 19th of November when he overcame world no.12 Cameron Norrie 6-2 6-1 in the round robin in the Nitto ATP Finals (draw).
This year Novak owns a composed 51-6 record. Djokovic has won 5 titles in 2021 at the Australian Open, in Belgrade, at the French Open, in Wimbledon and in Paris. The Serbian was the finalist in Rome and at the U.S. Open.
