The Australian Open missed the ball in its decision to curtail advocating for Chinese tennis player Peng Shuai on Saturday, according to fans on social media.
Video on TikTok showed security at the Australian tennis tournament asking a woman to remove a shirt with the slogan “Where is Peng Shuai” written on the back. An officer in the video was heard saying the tournament has “a rule that you can’t have political slogans … it’s a rule that it’s a condition of entry,” according to ESPN.
“That’s just pathetic,” former tennis player Martina Navratilova wrote on social media. “The Women’s Tennis Association stands pretty much alone on this!!! #WhereisPengShuai”
That’s just pathetic. The @wta stands pretty much alone on this!!!#WhereisPengShuai https://t.co/V9g2GZh5Px
— Martina Navratilova (@Martina) January 23, 2022
Journalist Avi Yemini called on the tournament to answer the question fans demanded, while BBC correspondent John Simpson compared China’s alleged treatment of the tennis star to Soviet-style intimidation tactics.
AUSTRALIA OPEN: Where is Peng Shuai?
— Avi Yemini (@OzraeliAvi) January 23, 2022
Tennis Australia says that it asked fans to remove ‘Where is Peng Shuai?’ t-shirts in the interests of her safety. Experience in the old USSR showed that keeping dissidents before the public eye was the best way of protecting them from harm. Ignoring them threatened their safety.
— John Simpson (@JohnSimpsonNews) January 24, 2022
WATCH: NFL STAR DECKS FAN WHO RUNS ON FIELD DURING FINAL MINUTES
Tennis Australia told the outlet that Peng’s safety was its “primary concern” and that the company will “continue to work with the WTA and global tennis community” to clarify her well-being. However, the company said it does not “allow clothing, banners or signs that are commercial or political” under its ticket conditions of entry.
Peng’s whereabouts and treatment have concerned tennis fans since she disappeared in November 2021 shortly after accusing former Chinese Communist Party official Zhang Gaoli of sexual assault. A month after her disappearance, the Women’s Tennis Association announced it would suspend all of its tournaments in China due to the lack of confirmation regarding Peng’s safety. Despite several media appearances and video calls with the International Olympic Committee, many are still concerned for her safety.
The Australian Open’s decision to prevent fans from raising awareness of Peng’s situation is the second controversy it has faced this month, after tennis player Novak Djokovic left Australia on Jan. 16 before he could compete in the competition. Djokovic left the country after his visa was rejected twice because he was not vaccinated against COVID-19.
“Really bad call by Australian Open on the Peng Shuai situation,” reporter Stephen Quartermain said. “After the Djokovic saga… All their goodwill built up over many glorious years is quickly evaporating.”
Really bad call by @AustralianOpen on the Peng Shuai situation. After the Djokovic saga… All their goodwill built up over many glorious years is quickly evaporating.
— Stephen Quartermain (@Quartermain10) January 23, 2022
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
The Australian Open and Tennis Australia did not respond to the Washington Examiner’s request for comment.
