Tennis governing bodies have called for China to investigate allegations of sexual assault made by missing doubles star Peng Shuai against a former Chinese vice premier.
The Women's Tennis Association (WTA) has called on China to investigate Peng's claims, while also demanding an end to censorship of the former top-ranked doubles exponent.
Peng, who played Auckland's ASB Classic in 2011 and 2012, has alleged on social media on that Zhang Gaoli, a former member of the Politburo Standing Committee - China's top decision-making body - coerced her into sex and they later had an on-off consensual relationship.
The post was deleted about half an hour after it was published, with Peng, 35, admitting she could provide no evidence to back her allegations.
"There is nothing more important to us than the safety of our tennis community," says Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) chairman Andrea Gaudenzi.
"We are deeply concerned by the uncertainty surrounding the immediate safety and whereabouts of WTA player Peng Shuai.
"We are encouraged by the recent assurances received by WTA that she is safe and accounted for, and will continue to monitor the situation closely.
"Separately, we stand in full support of WTA's call for a full, fair and transparent investigation into allegations of sexual assault against Peng Shuai."
The United States Tennis Association (USTA) also backs the WTA's call for an investigation, while commending Peng for her courage.
"We call on responsible authorities in China to investigate the matter fully and to adjudicate it fairly," says the USTA.
"We at the USTA commend Peng Shuai for speaking out and recognise her courage for doing so."
Chinese internet is heavily censored and the private lives of top leaders are an especially sensitive subject.
Zhang, now 75, was a vice premier between 2013-18 and served on the Politburo Standing Committee between 2012-17.
Concerns among the global tennis community have grown, as Peng - the first Chinese player to top the world rankings when she was doubles No.1 in 2014 - has not been seen since the post.
Men's world No.1 Novak Djokovic says he's shocked by the incident.
"I did hear about it a week ago," he says. "Honestly, it's shocking that she's missing, more so that it's someone that I have seen on the tour in the previous years quite a few times.
"It's not much more to say than hope that she will be found, that she's OK. It's terrible - I can imagine just how her family feels that she's missing."
WTA chairman and chief executive Steve Simon says the recent events are of deep concern.
"Peng Shuai - and all women - deserve to be heard, not censored," he says. "Her accusation about the conduct of a former Chinese leader involving a sexual assault must be treated with the utmost seriousness."
Simon tells the New York Times that no-one at the Tour has talked directly to Peng, but he has received assurances from the Chinese Tennis Association that she is safe "and not under any physical threat".
Reuters
