WNBA team speaks out in support of Peng Shuai

The WNBA’s Atlanta Dream shared its support for tennis player Peng Shuai, who was reported missing after accusing a Chinese government official of sexual assault. 

“The Atlanta Dream believes that protecting civil and human rights is a fundamental part of our core values,” the team said in a tweet on Wednesday. “We do not condone violence or aggression towards women-or any human being-and will do all we can to protect female athletes in speaking out against such atrocities.

“To that end, we stand with the World Tennis Association, Peng Shuai and all female athletes in using their voice to speak truth to power,” it added.

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— Atlanta Dream (@AtlantaDream) December 8, 2021

The Dream’s remarks come after the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) announced last week that it is suspending its tournaments in China until an investigation is launched into Peng’s sexual assault allegations. 

Peng, a doubles champion, was reported missing after writing a now-deleted social media post accusing former Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli of forcing her to have sex with him despite repeated refusals.

Peng’s unknown whereabouts led tennis stars Serena Williams, Noami Osaka, Bille Jean King and Novak Djokovic to use their platforms to express their concern. 

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) last week held a second video meeting with Peng, during which the tennis player agreed to a personal meeting with committee members next month.

The Atlanta Dream made headlines last year for protesting owner former Sen. Kelly Loeffler (R-Ga.) over her remarks on the Black Lives Matter movement. Loeffler, who lost her Senate seat in a January run-off election, was forced to sell the team afterward.