Australian Open 2022: Tennis Australia was destroyed by the Peng Shuai t-shirt scandal

The organizers of the Australian Open have been criticized for handling them in a situation where spectators were told to remove objects asking “where is Peng Shuai?”

Tennis Australia (TA) insisted on what many like about the tough decision when a video of security and police was released over the weekend asking a Melbourne Park fan to take off his shirt and highlighting the plight of a Chinese tennis star – raising global fears when he “disappeared” after being accused of sex. exploitation of a former top member of the Chinese Communist Party.

Peng has since been seen in videos and photos shared by Chinese state media, but is suspected to have been staged, and human rights activists have questioned whether the former double star will be able to operate freely.

The tennis video ended with police saying TA was allowed to seize all equipment referring to Pengi.

TA told News Corp Australia that they feared Peng’s safety, but fans were not allowed to make political statements with their clothes at the Australian Open.

“Under our ticket conditions, we do not allow commercial or political clothing, banners or signs,” a Tennis Australia spokesman said.

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

Drew Pavlou posted on social media footage of his friend Max Mok and another person who encountered security in his Peng Shuai outfit, and Mok hit a TA reaction.

“I remember him (the guard) saying time and time again that someone higher had ordered him to be confiscated (Peng items), Mok told Nine.

“Besides, he also said – and I don’t think this was on video – but he said he has eyes and ears everywhere, you can’t hide, things like that. Who am I really hiding from?

“He said someone thought it was political and announced it, but couldn’t say who.

“I would be surprised if someone on the spot would let us know.”

Pavlou created the GoFundMe page to print more “Where is Peng Shuai?” T-Shirts and Twitter revealed it had already raised nearly $ 6,000.

Mok said it was hypocritical for TA to say that Peng’s safety is its “primary concern” and then treat him as it did, and hopes more people will show clear support for the Chinese star by following their example in Melbourne Park.

“Hypocrisy is an understatement. It’s not sincere, and it’s their (TA) way to avoid a PR disaster,” Mok told Ninelle. “It can be seen from the huge support we have received from the public. If we had less support, this could have gone wrong.

“If Tennis Australia takes the movement seriously, they’ll let people in (with items related to Peng.) Time will show which side they’re on.

“Anyway, that’s a good message to send not only to Australia, but internationally. Imagine an entire court full of ‘Free Peng Shuai’ shirts?”

Many people shared Mok’s anger and put on TA’s boot. James Morrow, a federal policy reporter for the Daily Telegraph, tweeted, “How do you ask, ‘Where’s Peng Shuai?’

Aussie comedian Shaun Micallef wrote: “In mainland China, only asking someone’s whereabouts would be considered a political statement.

“I understand if the hotel says ‘No thongs’, ask you to leave and then call the police if you don’t, because the police see you have thongs on your head. I don’t think the police can look at Where’s Peng Shuai? T-shirt and just as easily to say that it is a political statement. “

Reporter Matt Walsh said: “Interestingly, reporters can ask questions about the Peng Shuai situation to players, but fans seemingly not allowed to do so.”

American veteran tennis reporter Jon Wertheim was also critical and re-posted the video on Twitter. “Here is a video… down the slippery slope to go… @AustralianOpen the number of unforced errors this year will continue to grow,” he wrote.

“Say this: it throws @WTA’s courage / principles into even sharper relief.”

Australian broadcaster Stephen Quartermain added: “A really bad call from @AustralianOpen about the Peng Shuai situation. After Djokovic-Saga… All their goodwill accumulated over many brilliant years will evaporate quickly.”

Athlete Corbin Middlemas tweeted, “The only language they (TA) speak are dollars and eyeballs, you can leave a moral compass at the door.”

Peng, a former Wimbledon and French Open doubles champion, claimed on Chinese social media site Weibo in November last year that former deputy prime minister Zhang Gaoli forced him into sex during a multi-year on-off relationship.

He was not heard for weeks, which raised fears about his well-being, and then he again denied allegations of sexual violence, saying his social media message had been misinterpreted.

Within the industry, Beijing has been called for more transparency about Peng’s whereabouts and has been feared to be censored.

Steve Simon, president of the Women’s Tennis Association Tour, announced that the women’s tennis district will suspend all tournaments in China due to Peng’s safety concerns.

Several players were asked about Peng during the first week of the Australian Open. Australian star Ash Barty said after his win on Wednesday that the tennis community had gathered to take care of Peng’s safety and hoped he was well.

“I hope it doesn’t take too long before we see him here,” Barty said.

The reporter then asked if Barty was worried there was something “wrong” in the game, but he couldn’t answer.

“I have no idea. Without the information, I can’t answer that question,” Barty replied.

Aussie Nick Kyrgios said he “apparently” thought something was wrong, but admitted he didn’t know much about it.

“Obviously, if it’s still something that’s going on, it has to be made clear and in a way, I guess we need more awareness of it. We can’t forget him,” Kyrgios said after the duel.

“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 the action and why it happens.”

Belarus’s Victoria Azarenka, a member of the WTA’s players ’council, said the main goal was to hear Peng in person.

“There hasn’t been so much development in Peng Shua’s contacts, although we will continue to do our best to make sure he’s safe, he feels comfortable,” Azarenka said.

“I hope to hear from him in person at some point. I think that’s the goal, the main goal right now.”

Naomi Osaka from Japan also said she had not heard any news.

“I’m not sure if that’s worrying or not,” he said. “But I think the WTA, the whole organization, took care of it really well. I’m really proud of them.

“I feel like this is a situation where we need more information, which is definitely really difficult. Somehow I think everyone is waiting.”

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