Australian Open: Guards Ask Fan Wearing Shirt to Support Chinese Tennis Star Peng Shua

An Australian Open fan has been forced to take off his shirt in support of tennis star Peng Shua, who disappeared after accusing a high-ranking Chinese politician of rape.

Footage has been revealed of guards and police demanding the viewer take off their shirt at this weekend’s Grand Slam tournament.

The activist’s shirt had the word “Where’s Peng Shuai?” behind, a picture of his face and “desired” printed on the front.

The man describing the confrontation can be heard asking the guard “what do you suggest he wear?” after the woman was ordered to take off her clothes.

A fan of the Australian Open has been forced to take off his shirt, expressing concern over the well-being of tennis star Peng Shua, who disappeared after accusing a high-ranking Chinese politician of rape.

Chinese tennis star Peng Shuai (pictured) disappeared from public view in November when he brought charges against a high-ranking politician.

Instead of answering the question, the guard asks the man to take off a similar shirt as well.

Police then approach and inform the couple that guests are not allowed to take “political slogans” for a tennis tournament.

“This is not a political message,” the male activist replies.

– This does not mean voting for a Liberal or Labor party. This is a female tennis player who is being persecuted and the Women’s Tennis Association has spoken for her. We are simply [reiterating] what the WTA says.

Police said they understood what the couple said, but “Tennis Australia sets the rules”.

“I’m not saying you shouldn’t have those views, but TA has the right to seize shirts and a banner,” police said before the video was interrupted.

Tennis Australia doubled its decision to ban Peng-supporting shirts in a statement issued on Sunday.

“Under our ticket conditions, we do not allow commercial or political clothing, banners or signs,” it said.

“Peng Shua’s safety is our top concern. We will continue to work with the WTA and the global tennis community to find out more about his situation and do everything we can to ensure his well-being.

Peng disappeared from public view for three weeks after he published the allegations on Chinese social media on November 2.

A Victorian police spokesman said troops are aware of the small number of protesters outside the Australian Open on Friday 21 January.

“Some of the open access conditions must not show anything politically motivated,” the spokesman said.

“Police contacted customers to support safety and referred entry conditions as they left the scene.”

The GoFundMe page was launched on Saturday to help raise funds for activists to distribute Peng Shuai shirts at the Australian Open, raising more than $ 6,640 in 24 hours.

Shuai disappeared from public view for three weeks last year after he released Chinese social media on the Weibo platform on November 2, accusing former Deputy Prime Minister Zhang Gaol of raping him in 2017.

‘Why did you come looking for me again, took me home and forced me into sex? I have no evidence and it would be impossible for me to hold any evidence. You denied everything afterwards, “Shua’s message read.

Within half an hour, the former world’s number one player’s message was removed and he disappeared for weeks, raising global concerns about his safety.

Australian Ash Bary (pictured) says he has no idea if the silenced Chinese tennis star Peng Shuai is safe, and admits players have been told very little about his frightening situation.

After widespread fears, after Shuai was silenced and the hashtag #WhereisPengShuai rose online, he re-emerged in December and shared a video of himself and withdrew his allegations of sexual violence.

Despite his reappearance, the tennis community remains concerned about his well-being, and Australian stars have expressed concern.

“I hope it won’t take too long before we see him back here,” Australia’s world number one Ash Barty said after the win on Wednesday.

Tennis villain Nick Kyrgios also stressed the situation, saying the sports world was “obliged” to speak for the Chinese star, and that “something is clearly wrong.”

‘Obviously, if it’s still something that’s still going on, it needs to be figured out, and I guess we need more awareness of it. We can’t forget him, ”Kyrgios said.

“We have to use our platforms as athletes. I think we have to do it, we have to talk and, you know, get to the heart of events and why it happens.

In December, Steve Simon, president of the Women’s Tennis Association Tour, made an unprecedented decision to suspend all competitions in China, saying the WTA is based on equality for women and that Peng’s treatment is “unworthy”.