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Peng Shuai T-shirt scandal puts Tennis Australia in hot water

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Australian Open organisers are at the centre of even more criticism over their handling of spectators with items asking “where is Peng Shuai?”.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Tennis Australia (TA) has </span><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.news.com.au/sport/tennis/australian-open/tennis-australia-destroyed-over-peng-shuai-tshirt-scandal/news-story/cb7c1678360dd16a87bbf8e996924083" target="_blank"><span style="font-weight: 400;">stood by</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> its decision after footage emerged of security and police requesting a fan remove her shirt calling for the Chinese tennis player’s fate to be addressed.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Ms Shuai gained worldwide attention after she “disappeared” following a post she shared on social media containing allegations of sexual abuse against a former high-ranking member of the Chinese Communist Party. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Though she has since been seen <a rel="noopener" href="https://oversixty.com.au/news/news/missing-tennis-star-makes-public-appearance" target="_blank">in videos and photos</a> shared by Chinese state media, many have expressed concerns that those were staged and activists have questioned whether she is able to act freely.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The video of the scene at Melbourne Park ended with police saying TA was permitted to confiscate any material referencing Ms Shuai.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">A TA spokesperson told News Corp Australia that the organisation feared for Ms Shuai’s safety, but that fans were not allowed to make political statements with clothing at the Australian Open.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Under our ticket conditions of entry we don’t allow clothing, banners or signs that are commercial or political,” the spokesperson said.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Peng Shuai’s safety is our primary concern. We continue to work with the WTA (Women’s Tennis Association) and global tennis community to seek more clarity on her situation and will do everything we can to ensure her wellbeing.”</span></p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr">Interestingly, journalists can ask questions about the Peng Shuai situation to players, but fans, seemingly, aren't allowed to.... <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AusOpen?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AusOpen</a> <a href="https://t.co/SCqNlH2bOx">pic.twitter.com/SCqNlH2bOx</a></p> — Matt Walsh (@MattWalshMedia) <a href="https://twitter.com/MattWalshMedia/status/1485052235251957760?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 23, 2022</a></blockquote> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Drew Pavlou shared footage online of his friend Max Mok and another person being asked by security about their clothes - including shirts which said “Where is Peng Shuai?” - and later by police.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Mr Mok slammed the TA’s reaction, telling </span><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.theage.com.au/sport/tennis/tennis-australia-confiscate-where-is-peng-shuai-shirts-banners-at-open-20220123-p59qi2.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Nine newspapers</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> it was a hypocritical decision.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“I can remember him  (the security guard) saying over and over that he had been instructed by someone higher up to confiscate (the Peng items),” Mr Mok said.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“On top of that, he also kept saying - and I don’t think this was in the video - but he kept saying he had eyes and ears everywhere, you can’t hide, things like that. Who exactly am I hiding from?</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“He said someone found it political and reported it, but couldn’t say who.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“I would be surprised if someone at the ground reported us.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Mr Pavlou also spruiked a GoFundMe page to print more “Where is Peng Shuai?” shirts, revealing on Twitter that it had amassed nearly $6,000 in donations.</span></p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr">Wow, in less than 24 hours we have raised almost $6000 to print a thousand “Where Is Peng Shuai” shirts to hand out for free at the Australian Open women’s final. <a href="https://twitter.com/TennisAustralia?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TennisAustralia</a> good luck keeping your $25 million corporate sponsorship from China <a href="https://t.co/BN9oi6mPdl">https://t.co/BN9oi6mPdl</a> <a href="https://t.co/iNiVxDrwP8">pic.twitter.com/iNiVxDrwP8</a></p> — Drew Pavlou For Senate (@DrewPavlou) <a href="https://twitter.com/DrewPavlou/status/1484846760669638660?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 22, 2022</a></blockquote> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Mr Mok said the TA’s treatment of him was hypocritical considering its claims that Ms Shuai’s safety was its “primary concern”, and hoped that more people would follow their lead and show their support for the tennis star.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Hypocrisy is an understatement. It’s not sincere, and it’s just a way for them (TA) to avoid a PR disaster,” he told Nine.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“You can see that from the huge amount of support that we’ve got from the public. If we had less support, this could have gone very wrong.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“If Tennis Australia is serious about the movement, they’ll let people in (with Peng-related items). Time will tell which side they’re on.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Regardless, it’ll be a good message to send not just to Australia, but internationally. Imagine a whole court filled with ‘Free Peng Shuai’ shirts?”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Many have shared their criticisms of the organisation online, while some have pointed out the double standard between spectators and journalists with questions about the missing player.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Interestingly, journalists can ask questions about the Peng Shuai situation to players, but fans, seemingly, aren’t allowed to,” journalist Matt Walsh wrote.</span></p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr">I get if a hotel says 'No thongs', asks you to leave and then calls the police if you don't because the police can see that you're wearing thongs. I don't think the police can look at a 'Where is Peng Shuai?' t-shirt and just as easily tell that it's a political statement. <a href="https://t.co/hTmkcF7EXB">pic.twitter.com/hTmkcF7EXB</a></p> — Shaun Micallef (@shaunmicallef) <a href="https://twitter.com/shaunmicallef/status/1485115549718048771?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 23, 2022</a></blockquote> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Comedian Shaun Micallef also weighed in, questioning why asking about Ms Shuai’s whereabouts was a political statement in the eyes of TA.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Only in mainland China would asking after somebody’s whereabouts be regarded as a political statement,” he wrote.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“I get if a hotel says ‘’No thongs’, asks you to leave and then calls the police if you don’t because the police can see that you’re wearing thongs. I don’t think the police can look at a ‘Where is Peng Shuai?’ T-shirt and just as easily tell that it’s a political statement.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Multiple players have been asked about Ms Shuai during the first week of the competition, with Aussie star Ash Barty saying she hoped she was doing OK.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Hopefully it’s not too long until we see her back out here,” Barty said.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">When asked whether she was concerned that something “sinister” was at play, Barty said she didn’t have the knowledge to answer.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Belarusian Victoria Azarenka, who is a member of the WTA Player Council, also spoke about Ms Shuai, saying the association’s main goal was to hear from her personally, while Japan’s Naomi Osaka said she hadn’t heard any news either.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“I’m not sure if that’s concerning or not,” she said. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“I feel like it’s a situation where we need more information, which is definitely really hard. Kind of, I think everyone’s waiting.”</span></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Image: @CaraMia200 (Twitter)</span></em></p>

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IOC makes extraordinary Peng Shaui confession

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has made the extraordinary admission that it can't provide certainties about the welfare of Chinese tennis star, Peng Shuai.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Peng's plight has sparked global concern after after she posted a message on social media alleging that China's former Vice-Premier Zhang Gaoli had sexually assaulted her.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The former Wimbledon and French Open champion subsequently dropped out of public view for around three weeks before reappearing in Beijing.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">She has only had a few direct contacts with officials outside China since and told Olympic officials in a video call from Beijing that she was safe and well.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The IOC's dialogue with Peng has done little to dispel the global concern for the 35-year-old, with concerns the tennis star's interactions and public appearances are being carefully staged by China.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Critics have claimed the IOC is enabling a cover-up by China ahead of the state-backed project to host the Winter Olympics in Beijing in February.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The IOC faced more questions about Peng on Tuesday at its first news conference since the Women’s Tennis Association, which has been unable to speak to her, suspended all of its tournaments in China.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“We can’t provide you with absolute certainty on anything,” IOC spokesman Mark Adams said. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“All we can do is do the best we can in the process that we believe is in the best interests of the well-being of the athlete.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Olympic body has repeatedly cited its policy of “quiet diplomacy” as the most likely to succeed with China, whose leader has met and spoken directly with IOC president Thomas Bach since Beijing was picked as host in 2015.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Bach took part in the first video call with three-time Olympian Peng on November 21, in a chat that lasted 30 minutes and also involved IOC members from China and an athlete representative.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">However, the IOC provided no video footage or transcripts of the conversations, fuelling doubts that Peng was able to speak or travel freely.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“We can’t give assurances and we don’t know the full facts,” Adams said, pointing to a promise on both sides that Peng and Bach will meet for dinner in Beijing in January. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“It’s a full road map to at least attempt to keep in touch and to see where she is.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The WTA’s suspension of tournaments in China was taken after talking with current and former players.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">On social media, the hashtag WhereIsPengShuai has trended and won support from tennis greats such as Serena Williams, Martina Navratilova and Roger Federer.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Asked why Peng has not spoken with tennis players or WTA leaders, Adams said: “That I obviously cannot answer because I really don’t know.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The senior IOC member overseeing Beijing’s Olympic preparations, Juan Antonio Samaranch said there was a “need to be discreet" and reiterated the organisation's approach of "quiet diplomacy" </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“We have to respect her desire for discretion also in this very difficult moment of her life. And we will do that,” Samaranch said at the news conference.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The IOC has repeatedly avoided using words referring directly to Peng’s allegations, or the possibility she has restricted freedom. Instead, statements after the video calls cited only “her situation.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Image: Getty Images</span></p>

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Missing tennis star makes public appearance

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Missing Chinese tennis champion Peng Shuai has made her </span><a rel="noopener" href="https://wwos.nine.com.au/tennis/peng-shuai-hold-video-call-speaks-with-olympic-officials-ioc/231011ea-4cf6-4cee-910b-aae84a608433" target="_blank"><span style="font-weight: 400;">first direct contact</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> with officials outside China in a video call with Olympic officials several weeks after she disappeared from public view.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The three-time Olympian disappeared from public view on November 2 after alleging online that she was sexually assaulted by a former member of China’s ruling Communist Party.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Ms Shuai spoke with officials from the International Olympic Committee from Beijing, and told them that she was safe and well, according to a statement from the organisation.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“She explained that she is safe and well, living at her home in Beijing, but would like to have her privacy respected at this time,” the statement </span><a rel="noopener" href="https://olympics.com/ioc/news/ioc-president-and-ioc-athletes-commission-chair-hold-video-call-with-peng-shuai" target="_blank"><span style="font-weight: 400;">said</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">.</span></p> <p><img style="width: 500px; height:281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7845785/peng1.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/9e6eafe7a6504dabad172c4a2ddd00f0" /></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Image: International Olympic Committee</span></em></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Along with IOC President Thomas Bach, Ms Shuai spoke with Emma Terho, the Chair of the IOC Athletes’ Commission, and IOC Member in China Li Lingwei, who the IOC said “has known Peng Shuai for many years from her time in the Chinese Tennis Federation”.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Ms Shuai “thanked the IOC for its concern about her well-being” and said she is spending “her time with friends and family right now”.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Nevertheless, she will continue to be involved in tennis, the sport she loves so much,” the statement said.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Mr Bach invited Ms Shuai to join him for dinner when he is in Beijing next year “which she gladly accepted”, the IOC said. Ms Terho and Ms Lingwei were also invited.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“I was relieved to see that Peng Shuai was doing fine, which was our main concern,” Ms Terho said in the statement.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“She appeared to be relaxed. I offered her our support and to stay in touch at any time of her convenience, which she obviously appreciated.”</span></p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WhereIsPengShuai?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WhereIsPengShuai</a> <a href="https://t.co/t8SPCrqnMl">pic.twitter.com/t8SPCrqnMl</a></p> — wta (@WTA) <a href="https://twitter.com/WTA/status/1461418624858607616?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 18, 2021</a></blockquote> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Concerns about her safety began to grow after her disappearance and the rapid removal of her post from social media, prompting calls to boycott the 2022 Winter Olympics to be held in Beijing in February.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The 30-minute call came as footage emerged of her at a youth tournament in Beijing, according to images released by the organiser.</span></p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr">Peng Shuai autographs balls for the kids at the opening ceremony of Junior Tennis Challenger Finals in Beijing. <a href="https://t.co/uPVxlNK1cQ">pic.twitter.com/uPVxlNK1cQ</a></p> — Shen Shiwei沈诗伟 (@shen_shiwei) <a href="https://twitter.com/shen_shiwei/status/1462235050607472643?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 21, 2021</a></blockquote> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The images, posted by the China Open on social media service Weibo, made no mention of the allegations or Ms Shuai’s disappearance. She was pictured standing next to a court, waving and signing commemorative tennis balls.</span></p> <p><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/news/news/tennis-world-reacts-to-disappearance-of-chinese-player" target="_blank"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Tennis stars</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> and the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) have been especially vocal since Ms Shuai’s disappearance, while the IOC has previously remained quiet.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">On Saturday, the organisation said it would “continue our open dialogue on all levels with the Olympic movement in China”.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">WTA chairman and CEO Steve Simon expressed concern for Ms Shuai’s safety after two videos appearing to show her in a restaurant were shared online by Hu Xijin, editor of nationalistic newspaper </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Global Times</span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;">.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“While it is positive to see her, it remains unclear if she is free and able to make decisions and take actions on her own, without coercion or external interference. This video alone is insufficient,” Mr Simon said. “Our relationship with China is at a crossroads.”</span></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Image: Getty Images</span></em></p>

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Tennis world reacts to disappearance of Chinese player

<p dir="ltr">Serena Williams has added her voice to the chorus of tennis stars concerned for the wellbeing of Chinese tennis star Peng Shuai, who has been unreachable since accusing a powerful Chinese politician of assault.</p> <p dir="ltr">Two weeks ago, Shuai took to Weibo to accuse former vice-premier Zhang Gaoli of forcing her into sex during their long-term relationship. The post was quickly deleted, and her social media profiles have been silent since. A<span> </span><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.news.com.au/sport/tennis/pressure-is-mounting-on-china-to-confirm-the-safety-of-star-player-peng-shuai-amid-fears-she-is-missing/news-story/7b23a3a14256165a82f41506af669f0f" target="_blank">bizarre email</a><span> </span>claiming to be from the star did little to quell fears, with many feeling it wasn’t actually from Shuai.</p> <p dir="ltr">The email reads, “Hello everyone this is Peng Shuai. Regarding the recent news released on the official website of the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA), the content has not been confirmed or verified by myself and it was released without my consent.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I’m not missing, nor am I ­unsafe. I’ve just been resting at home and everything is fine. Thank you for caring about me. I hope to promote Chinese tennis with you all if I have the chance in the future. I hope Chinese tennis will become better and better.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Soon after, Tennis superstar Serena Williams posted her concerns about Shuai on Twitter. She wrote, “I am devastated and shocked to hear about the news of my peer, Peng Shuai. I hope she is safe and found as soon as possible. This must be investigated and we must not stay silent. Sending love to her and her family during this incredibly difficult time. #whereispengshuai”. The tweet was accompanied by a photo of the star with the hashtag #whereispengshuai over the top.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr">I am devastated and shocked to hear about the news of my peer, Peng Shuai. I hope she is safe and found as soon as possible. This must be investigated and we must not stay silent. Sending love to her and her family during this incredibly difficult time. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/whereispengshuai?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#whereispengshuai</a> <a href="https://t.co/GZG3zLTSC6">pic.twitter.com/GZG3zLTSC6</a></p> — Serena Williams (@serenawilliams) <a href="https://twitter.com/serenawilliams/status/1461408866697105413?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 18, 2021</a></blockquote> <p dir="ltr">Others have shared the image, including the Women’s Tennis Association, coach Patrick Mouratoglou and stars including Benoit Paire, Julia Goerges and Maria Sakkari.</p> <p dir="ltr">On Friday, the International Tennis Writers’ Association released a statement in support of Peng.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Peng Shuai’s allegations are very serious, and she is very brave to have made them.</p> <p dir="ltr">“We fully support the efforts of the WTA and other tennis bodies in calling for meaningful assurances that Peng Shuai is safe, and for the allegations she has made to be properly investigated, without censorship.</p> <p dir="ltr">“In the meantime, we wish Peng Shuai and her family and friends all the strength they need to get through this very stressful time.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Naomi Osaka posted a brief statement on Twitter, where she said she was in “shock” at the current situation. “Censorship is never OK at any cost, I hope Peng Shuai and her family are safe and OK. I’m in shock of the current situation and I’m sending love and light her way.”</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr">. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WhereIsPengShuai?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WhereIsPengShuai</a> <a href="https://t.co/51qcyDtzLq">pic.twitter.com/51qcyDtzLq</a></p> — NaomiOsaka大坂なおみ (@naomiosaka) <a href="https://twitter.com/naomiosaka/status/1460723353174433793?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 16, 2021</a></blockquote> <p dir="ltr">Novak Djokovic spoke to the press about Shuai’s disappearance following his ATP Tour Finals match against Casper Rudd, describing the situation as “terrible”.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Honestly it’s shocking that she’s missing. More so that it’s someone that I’ve seen on the tour in previous years quite a few times.</p> <p dir="ltr">“There’s not much more to say than to hope that she’s OK and it’s just terrible … I can imagine how her family feels, you know, that she’s missing.”</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Zhong Zhi/Getty Images</em></p>

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