Australian Open: Security orders woman to remove shirt featuring message supporting Peng Shuai

The bid to silence Peng Shuai supporters has highlighted the issue of the Australian Open not listening to public sentiment in the wake of the Novak Djokovic debacle.

Australian Open organisers bid to silence Peng Shuai supporters has highlighted the growing issue of the tournament not listening to public sentiment after the Novak Djokovic debacle.

Tournament quarter-finalist Madison Keys has lauded the leadership of WTA CEO Steve Simon in the global mystery over Peng Shuai.

It comes as Tennis Australia cops furious backlash for its decision to remove banners and t-shirts from fans wanting to voice their concerns for the tennis star.

Over the weekend, video emerged of spectators being asked to remove clothing because it featured messages of support of the #WhereIsPengSchuai movement

In November, Peng, 36, made a social media post that accused former vice-premier Zhang Gaoli of sexually assaulting her in 2017.

“Why did you come and look for me again, take me to your house, and force me into sex? I have no proof, and it would be impossible for me to keep any evidence. You denied everything afterwards,” Peng is quoted as having written.

Where is Peng Shuai? Tennis Australia has backed a ban on a fan who wore a T-Shirt asking the question.

The post was deleted within half an hour and Shuai was not heard from for weeks afterwards, prompting #WhereisPengShuai to trend on Twitter.

In December, Peng resurfaced and denied having claimed she was sexually assaulted in an interview with a Singaporean network.

A lack of cooperation from China prompted Simon to suspend WTA events in China until some clarity over Shuai’s safety was given.

In stark contrast to thedirection taken by Tennis Australia, Keys was full of admiration.

“I think the biggest concern is that Peng Shuai is safe,” the American said.

“I know that Steve has had some incredibly difficult decisions to make. He’s our CEO. I think his first concern every single day is all of his players’ safety.

“I as one of those players really support him and appreciate that’s what his stance is.”

Ironically, Tennis Australia’s bid to silence the “political messages” they claim the banners carried, has only attracted more publicity to the fight for answers.

In announcing the suspension of the WTA events in China, Simon said Peng’s “message had to be listened to and taken seriously”.

“The players of the WTA, not to mention women around the world, deserve nothing less,” Simon said.

“I don’t see how I can ask our athletes to compete there when Peng Shuai is not allowed to communicate freely and has seemingly been pressured to contradict her allegation of sexual assault.

“Given the current state of affairs, I am also greatly concerned about the risks that all of our players and staff could face if we were to hold events in China in 2022.

“The WTA will do everything possible to protect its players.”

Peng’s fellow Chinese tennis players competing at the Australian Open had little to say on the issue when asked to comment on the situation.

“I don’t know,” Yang Zhaoxuan said.

Xu Yifan added:

“We didn’t really focus on it. We just tried to focus on our tennis most of the time.”.

FANS TOLD TO REMOVE CLOTHING, HIDE BANNERS

By Jasper Bruce

Tennis Australia is standing by its decision to order an Australian Open spectator to remove a shirt that featured a message in support of Peng Shuai amid ongoing concerns for the Chinese tennis star’s welfare.

Over the weekend, footage emerged of security and police at the Australian Open requesting a spectator remove her shirt, which featured an image of Peng on the front and the message “Where Is Peng Shuai?” on the back.

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The video ends with police saying that Tennis Australia was permitted to confiscate any paraphernalia that referenced Peng.

Tennis Australia told News Corp Australia that it feared for Peng’s safety but that fans were not permitted to make political statements with their clothing at the Australian Open.

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“Under our ticket conditions of entry we don’t allow clothing, banners or signs that are commercial or political,” a Tennis Australia spokesperson said.

“Peng Shuai’s safety is our primary concern. We continue to work with the WTA and global tennis community to seek more clarity on her situation and will do everything we can to ensure her wellbeing.”

Victoria Police told News Corp Australia it would “make some enquiries” about the police’s involvement in the matter.

A GoFundMe page seeking to distribute Peng Shuai shirts at the Australian Open raised $6,500 within 24 hours of being uploaded this weekend.

According to Fairfax the money donated will go towards prducing more shirts and banners for a planned protest on Saturday - the day of the women’s final.

Chinese Baijiu distillery Luzhou Laojiao, in 2018, signed one of the Aus Open’s biggest-ever sponsorship deals.

The woman's shirt caught the attention of security. Image: Twitter

The shirt had the words "Where is Peng Shuai?" written on the back. Image: Twitter

In November, Peng, 36, made a social media post that accused former vice-premier Zhang Gaoli of sexually assaulting her in 2017.

“Why did you come and look for me again, take me to your house, and force me into sex? I have no proof, and it would be impossible for me to keep any evidence. You denied everything afterwards,” Peng is quoted as having written.

The post was deleted within half an hour and Shuai was not heard from for weeks afterwards, prompting #WhereisPengShuai to trend on Twitter.

In December, Peng resurfaced and denied having claimed she was sexually assaulted in an interview with a Singaporean network.

The tennis community has continued to express its concern for Peng’s welfare during the Australian Open.

“There hasn’t been that much development in terms of contact with Peng Shuai even though from our side we will continue to make any and all efforts to make sure that she is safe, she feels comfortable,” Victoria Azarenka said.

“Hopefully we will get to hear from her personally at some point. I think that’s the goal, the main goal right now.”

Ash Barty also added her voice to concern: “Obviously we’re all looking out for her safety. We all hope that she’s well. We hope that she’s doing okay. Hopefully it’s not too long until we see her back out here.”

Nick Kyrgios said he believed the situation “obviously” required attention.

“Obviously if that’s still something that’s ongoing it needs to be found out and kind of, I guess, we need more awareness about it. We can’t forget about her,” Kyrgios said.

“We have to use our platforms as athletes. I think we’re obligated to do that, we’re obligated to speak up and, you know, get to the root of what’s happening and why it’s happening.”

Azarenka is among the tennis players to voice concerns as to Peng’s welfare. Picture: AFP

Victoria Azarenka, a member of the WTA Player Council, said she had not heard from Peng personally.

“There hasn’t been that much development in terms of contact with Peng Shuai even though from our side we will continue to make any and all efforts to make sure that she is safe, she feels comfortable,” Azarenka said.

“Hopefully we will get to hear from her personally at some point. I think that’s the goal, the main goal right now.”

Originally published as Australian Open: Security orders woman to remove shirt featuring message supporting Peng Shuai