Peng Shuai, a 35 year old tennis player and former world doubles No. 1 has stirred public concern and taken over the internet with her recent disappearance.. Earlier this month, the star tennis player posted an account of her experiences with former Chinese government official Zhang Gaoli, who she accused of sexually assaulting her. The post was removed online after 20 minutes, and Peng hasn’t been seen since. Recently, measures have been taken by the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA), the White House, and the public to inquire  about what really happened. 

What exactly happened on the internet?

With a verified account and hefty amount of followers, Peng Shuai turned to Weibo, a popular Chinese social media platform to voice her experiences with Zhang Gaoli. In her 1,500 character post, Shuai explained how Gaoli-who she had brief affairs with in the past-invited her over one evening to play tennis with him and his wife. When Shuai arrived at his house, Zhang allegedly then sexually assaulted her while his wife stood outside guarding the door. 

Since her post on Weibo, the Chinese government has censored any internet searches for “Peng Shuai” and “tennis”.

“I know that for someone of your eminence, Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli, you’ve said that you’re not afraid,” Peng wrote, according to The New York Times. “But even if it’s just me, like an egg hitting a rock, or a moth to the flame, courting self-destruction, I’ll tell the truth about you.”

How did the WTA respond to all of this?

Steve Simon, the chairman and CEO of WTA, released a statement on Sunday asking for “a full, fair, and transparent investigation” into Peng’s allegations. 

“In all societies, the behavior she alleges that took place needs to be investigated, not condoned or ignored,” Simon said.

Why are there concerns about her whereabouts?

Since her post was removed from Weibo on November 2nd, Shuai has not been seen online or in public, and she has not responded to any communications from the WTA. 

On Wednesday, China Global Television Network (CGTN), a government-affiliated media organization posted a tweet with a message reportedly from Shuai, but it only raised suspicions further. 

In the message, which CGTN claims is from Shuai herself, the sexual assault allegation is blatantly dismissed and Shuai states that she has been “resting at home and everything is fine.”

Further, many social media users have noticed that there is a mouse cursor visible on the word “and” towards the beginning of the email– something that is very unlikely in an email that is being received. 

Soon after this email was released, Steve Simon released another statement and transparently communicated that he did not believe the message had come from Peng Shuai herself. 

“I have a hard time believing that Peng Shuai actually wrote the email we received or believes what is being attributed to her,” said Simon. “Peng Shuai displayed incredible courage in describing an allegation of sexual assault against a former top official in the Chinese government. The WTA and the rest of the world need independent and verifiable proof that she is safe.”

How has the White House gotten involved?

White House secretary Jen Psaki responded to a reporter’s question about Shuai and said that the administration was “deeply concerned” and ordered for the Chinese government to provide independent and verifiable information of her whereabouts and that she is safe.”

Psaki said she couldn’t share many details of the case but wanted to be clear about where the White House stands, “generally speaking.”