Peng Shuai: Doubt cast on email from Chinese tennis star Published45 minutes ago

The head of the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) has cast doubt on an email released Chinese state media attributed to tennis player Peng Shuai.

The tennis star has not been heard from since she made sexual assault allegations against a top Chinese government official two weeks ago.

In the email, Ms Peng purportedly says the allegations are “not true”.

Steve Simon, chairman of the WTA, said the message “only raises” his concerns about Ms Peng’s safety.

“I have a hard time believing that Peng Shuai actually wrote the email we received or believes what is being attributed to her,” he said in a statement.

Written in her voice and published the broadcaster CGTN, the email claims she is not missing or unsafe, adding: “I’ve just been resting at home and everything is fine.”