Belgium’s Alison Van Uytvanck has spoken out about the suspension of Peng Shuai after confirming for the first time that it was her coach who reported the Chinese player to authorities.
Last week Shuai was hit with a six-month ban, of which three months are suspended, for violating tennis’ anti-corruption rules at the 2017 Wimbledon Championships. The Tennis Integrity Unit (TIU) found the former world No.1 doubles player guilty of trying to persuade a player to withdraw from a event after the sign-in deadline. Allegedly using money as an incentive. Something Shuai has since denied.
Uytvanck’s name was never publicly mentioned in the investigation, but she has confirmed that she was the player Shuai approached. On Sunday evening the world No.41 released her account of what happened in a statement uploaded onto her social media account. In it, she accuses Shuai of ‘stalking her and her coach day and night.’
“My former coach Alain De Vos and me were stalked day and night by Shuai who wanted me to withdraw from the doubles.” Uytvanck wrote on Twitter.
“She wanted to play with (Sania) Mirza after the deadline has passed. My former coach went to the integrity (TIU) and they investigated the case with the utmost discretion.”
The 24-year-old continued by saying her actions was done to ensure the sport remains ‘clean.’ Shuai’s former coach, Bertrand Perret of France, has also been issued with a three-month ban. Perret is the current coach of Ons Jabeur.
“Since I was a little girl tennis has been everything for me.” The Belgian stated. “Therefore, I want this sport to be/stay clean in all ways.”
Following her suspension, Shuai has denied any wrongdoing. In a post published on her Weibo account, she denied trying to persuade a player to quit a match. Vowing that she will not retire from the sport and that she was contemplating an appeal against her conviction.
“During the 20 years of my professional career I have never used any ways to force a partner to drop out of a match,” Peng posted on Weibo, in comments published by AFP. “It was completely her own action to drop out of the doubles. We have gave her any money to drop out.”
As things currently stand, Shuai will not be able to compete again until November 8th this year. She has also been hit with a $10,000 fine with $5000 of it being suspended.
