Former NZ tennis professional and now-tournament director Brenda Perry has joined the chorus of protest, as the world continues to fear for the safety of former Chinese doubles star Peng Shuai.
"It's an extraordinarily complex situation, obviously," Perry tells Newshub.
A day after the Women's Tennis Association (WTA) stripped China of hosting tournaments, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has doubled down on the safety of the former world No.1, who has been publicly absent for the last three weeks, after alleging China's former vice-premier had sexually assaulted her.
The issue is now regarded as bigger than just tennis.
"It's [the] life of a tennis player that's in question here," says men's world No.1 Novak Djokovic. "We, as a tennis community, need to stand together."
Perry is co-director of a Wuhan tournament that has been scrapped by the WTA, as part of its stance against Peng's disappearance, but she welcomes the questions being asked.
"Safety is a big word," she says. "It comes in many forms.
"It's not just 'can I walk around freely? Can I make my own decisions?'
"It's 'are my allegations being heard?' It's 'am I able to speak?'"
IOC boss Thomas Bach claims he's spoken to Peng for a second time, as part of what the organisation calls "quiet diplomacy", but there's still no evidence in the form of video or transcript, nor has there been any reference to her sexual assault allegations.
China's Foreign Ministry hasn't directly responded to the WTA's decision, instead saying the country opposes the politicisation of sport.
Regardless, Perry just wants a resolution.
"This is obviously very sensitive and deeply personal, and [a] situation that many women are facing around the world," she says. "It's still one that probably is heard in many situations."
What isn't being heard is Peng Shuai's voice.
