Martina Navratilova has accused Australian Open organisers of “capitulating” to China after supporters were barred from wearing T-shirts supporting Peng Shuai.
Spectators at Melbourne Park were instructed to take off T-shirts and banners bearing the slogan “Where is Peng Shuai?”, which represented a protest over the predicament of the Chinese player.
Tennis Australia, already under fire for their handling of the Novak Djokovic visa affair, have responded by stating they don't permit “clothing, banners or signs that are commercial or political” - but added they were in correspondence with the WTA over the situation.
There has been significant concern for the welfare of the former world doubles number one since November, when Peng, 36, disappeared from public view after making allegations against a high-profile Chinese official on social media.
She has since been seen insisting she is safe and well, even taking part in a television interview, but her situation remains unclear.
Navratilova, a legend of the sport, said on Tennis Channel: “Sports has always been kind of on the forefront of social issues, pushing them forward, and we are going backwards I feel.
“We’ve had the issue with Peng Shuai, and now there were fans at the tournament watching Naomi Osaka practise, they weren’t even on the main court, they had ‘Where is Peng Shuai’ on their T-shirt and they were told to cover it up.
“I find it really, really cowardly. This is not a political statement, this is a human rights statement. Kind of really capitulating on this issue from the Aussies and letting the Chinese really dictate what they do at their own slam. I just find it really weak.”
Following the incident, activists launched a fundraising appeal to print 1,000 T-shirts to distribute to fans attending the women’s singles final at Melbourne Park this Saturday.
France’s Alize Cornet, who was the first player to publicly highlight her concerns regarding Peng, said of the T-shirt incident: “When I heard that, I was surprised. I think that everybody should be able to manifest their support to Peng Shuai.”
The WTA has taken a stance in support of Peng, suspending tournaments in China indefinitely.
Cornet said: “It’s still very unsure how she’s doing but I think the fact to put some lights on this story was good for her overall. Now we are of course all waiting for more details that we don’t have so far, but we keep our fingers crossed.”
