The Australian Open tennis tournament has reversed its ban on “political” T-shirts with the phrase “Where is Peng Shuai?”
The sport’s governing body in Australia, Tennis Australia, said the shirts activists were wearing and planning to distribute to raise awareness about Shuai, a Chinese tennis star who disappeared in November of last year, would now be allowed into the tournament after they were denied entry over the weekend. Though banners will not be allowed in Melbourne Park, where the tournament is taking place, wearing the shirt will not be cause for denied entry.
“What we’ve said is that if anyone comes on-site with an intent to disrupt and use the Australian Open as a platform for themselves and really disrupts the comfort and the safety of our fans, then they’re not welcome,” TA CEO Craig Tiley told the Sydney Morning Herald. “However, if someone wants to wear a T-shirt and make a statement about Peng Shuai, that’s fine.”
Max Mok, one of the activists, credited social media and outcry from tennis fans worldwide for the reversal.
AUSTRALIAN OPEN CRITICIZED FOR ASKING FANS TO REMOVE T-SHIRTS WITH ‘WHERE IS PENG SHUAI’ SLOGAN
“It’s purely down to the media coverage we’ve received worldwide and within Australia,” Mok said. “We’ve been on front pages, people have pressured Tennis Australia, and they have finally realized what’s right.”
A video showing people being asked to remove their “Where is Peng Shuai” shirts for violating a rule against political clothing attracted online attention on Monday, sparking global backlash and criticism of the organizers.
TA initially remained firm in its stance, saying Monday, “To ensure that the Australian Open remains a welcoming, safe, and inclusive event for everyone, we have a long-standing policy of not allowing banners, signs, or clothing that are commercial or political.”
Fans were alarmed when Peng disappeared from public view in November following a social media post accusing a high-ranking Chinese Communist Party official of sexual assault. Her subsequent media appearances and video calls with the International Olympic Committee have done little to quell fears for her safety. The Women’s Tennis Association, the sport’s international governing body, announced in December it will pull tournaments from China until it is guaranteed of her safety.
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Tennis Australia did not respond to the Washington Examiner’s request for comment.
