How credible is Peng’s claim of “always been very free”?

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Peng Shuai's Claims of Freedom Remain Unconvincing Amidst WTA Concerns

Peng Shuai has asserted that she is living freely and has “always been very free,” directly denying allegations that a senior Communist Party leader sexually assaulted her. She stated in an interview that her previous Weibo post was a private matter with many misunderstandings and that an email sent to the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) was legitimate and written entirely of her own free will. Despite these statements, the WTA remains unconvinced about Peng's well-being and her ability to communicate without censorship or coercion, leading to the suspension of all WTA tournaments in China.
Peng Shuai Denies Sexual Assault Allegation

In an interview with the Singaporean Chinese-language newspaper Lianhe Zaobao, Peng Shuai explicitly denied making any accusations of sexual assault. She stated, "I would like to stress a very important point: I have never said nor written anything accusing anyone of sexually assaulting me." The 35-year-old also described her previous social media post, which had alleged coercion by former vice-premier Zhang Gaoli, as a "private matter" that had been subject to "many misunderstandings."
Assertions of Personal Freedom Made

When questioned about her ability to move freely and whether she had been under surveillance, Peng responded affirmatively, stating, "I have always been very free." This assertion was made in footage that appeared to be filmed at a sports event in Shanghai. She further elaborated on an email she had sent to the WTA, insisting that it was legitimate and written "entirely of my own free will," in an effort to counter skepticism from WTA chief Steve Simon regarding its authenticity and the freedom with which it was composed.
WTA Maintains Significant Concerns

The Women’s Tennis Association has not been reassured by Peng Shuai's recent statements and continues to express "significant concerns about her well-being and ability to communicate without censorship or coercion." The organisation has publicly stated that it is "not convinced of Peng’s wellbeing" and remains "steadfast in our call for a full, fair and transparent investigation, without censorship, into her allegation of sexual assault." This persistent stance has led the WTA to suspend all its tournaments in China, including those in Hong Kong.
International Scrutiny Followed Initial Post

The international community, including the United Nations, the White House, and numerous fellow tennis stars, raised concerns for Peng Shuai's safety following her quickly-censored social media post. Screenshots of her allegations, which detailed an alleged on-off relationship and coercion by Zhang Gaoli, were posted on Twitter, igniting a global outcry. Despite subsequent appearances in state-media-published images and videos, the WTA's continued skepticism highlights the ongoing debate surrounding the credibility of Peng's claims and the true extent of her freedom.

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How credible is Peng’s claim of “always been very free”?

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