Peng Shuai has given her first interview with non-Chinese media, following her disappearance in 2021.
Shuai, 36, disappeared from the public in November 2021, after accusing China's former Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli, had sexually assaulted her in the past.
Concerns for her wellbeing were widespread throughout the tennis and sporting world, with China currently hosting the Beijing Winter Olympics, despite Shuai appearing on a video call with IOC president Thomas Bach.
The WTA suspended all tournaments in China as a result of Shuai's disappearance.
In December, Shuai retracted her allegations, adding she had never accused anyone of sexually assaulting her.
And while the former Olympian had appeared in Chinese state media, it wasn't until Monday (NZ time) that Shuai had spoken to a foreign outlet.
But speaking to French sports publication L'Equipe, Shuai - albeit accompanied by the chief of staff for the Chinese Olympic Committee - questioned the concerns for her wellbeing after her disappearance.
"First of all, I would like to thank all the ATP and WTA players, all the athletes and all the personalities in large numbers who cared about me," Peng says.
"But I didn't think there would be such concern and I would like to know: why such concern?"
Shuai also refuted the notion she had disappeared, and once again went back on her initial allegations of sexual assault.
"I never disappeared, everyone could see me," she added.
"This post has given rise to a huge misunderstanding from the outside world. I hope that we no longer distort the meaning of this post. And I also hope that we don't add more hype on this.
"I never said anyone sexually assaulted me.
Shuai also attempted to explain her supposed disappearance by stating that she had received too many messages, that it was "impossible" to reply to them all.
"I never disappeared. It's just that a lot of people, like my friends, including from the IOC, messaged me, and it was quite impossible to reply to so many messages."
