The women's Australian Open final could play witness to a planned protest, with money currently being raised to buy 1,000 t-shirts in support of Chinese star Peng Shuai.
Concern grew for Shuai and here whereabouts last November, after the 36-year-old reportedly went missing after accusing former Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli of sexual assault in a social media post on Weibo.
Following the concerns, Chinese state media looked to reassure the sporting world of the tennis star's safety with a number of videos showing her looking safe and well, however suspicion surrounding her wellbeing continues.
Peng, meanwhile, has since denied ever making the allegation that preceded her disappearance.
But in support of the former Wimbledon and French Open doubles champion, tennis fans have been seen donning t-shirts and banners at this month's Australian Open, with a large-scale protest also expected at the upcoming final.
As a result Drew Pavlou - a human rights activist running to represent Queensland in the Australian Senate - revealed that a JustGiving page has been set up to fund 1,000 t-shirts in support of Shuai, and has so far raised over £7,610 ($14,405 AUD).
Pavlou revealed on Twitter that the "Where is Peng Shuai?" clothing is set to be given out at the women’s final later this month in a bid to continue support for the Chinese star.
The expected protest comes after a group of fans already donning a similar t-shirt and with a banner at the event were ordered to remove them last week.
A video uploaded to Twitter shows tournament security confiscating the banner in support of Shuai, whilst also telling fans wearing the t-shirts to remove them due to Tennis Australia's ban on political messages being voiced at its events.
What are you thoughts on Tennis Australia's decision to ban protests in support of Shuai? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section.
Since the controversial confrontation between event security and the fans, a spokesperson for Tennis Australia defended the move.
The statement said: "Under our ticket conditions of entry we don’t allow clothing, banners or signs that are commercial or political. Peng Shuai's safety is our primary concern.
"We continue to work with the WTA and the global tennis community to seek more clarity on her situation."
Despite the statement, 18-time Grand Slam champion Martina Navratilova has slammed Tennis Australia's decision to ban protests in support of Shuai, labelling the governing body 'cowardly'.
Navratilova told Tennis Channel: "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."
