A video that has gone viral on social media shows a spectator and Hong Kong pro-democracy supporter being asked by a security guard to take off a shirt bearing the phrase “Where is Peng Shuai?”, referring to the ongoing uncertainty around the Chinese tennis player’s whereabouts. The T-shirts worn by the spectator and her companion were later confiscated by security, along with a banner bearing the same slogan.
In the video, a police officer is heard stating that Tennis Australia has a rule that there “can’t be any political slogans”.
Over the weekend, the body governing the Australian Open doubled down on this, defending its decision to confiscate the T-shirts and accompanying banners, saying it “does not allow clothing, banners or signs that are commercial or political” at the Australian Open.
It’s an interesting rule given that the majority of tennis players are sponsored by brands such as Nike, Adidas and Lacoste and, as part of their sponsorship, wear commercial clothing on to the court — not to mention the hordes of fans who turn up to the stands adorned with Tennis Australia-approved branded clothing.
In the video, the point is made that the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) has spoken out for Peng Shuai, with Steve Simon, WTA chairman and CEO, announcing in December the WTA’s decision to suspend tournaments in China. ESPN reporter Matt Walsh also pointed out on Twitter that during the tournament, Tennis Australia hasn’t had a problem with journalists asking players questions about Peng Shuai.
And while we’re on the topic of hypocrisy, this is the same tournament that began with the Morrison government making a huge political statement with the deportation of world men’s No.1 Novak Djokovic.
For a good explainer on why many are concerned about the whereabouts and well-being of the Chinese former tennis player, this BBC article is a good summary of what’s going on.
I’m interested by TA calling the cops to enforce their private, commercial rules.
Megharry can’t hire Plod for personal protection in Britain but an overblown sport behemoth can?
Where is she? Being “treated” for her mental health issues, one supposes.
Staying out of the limelight as I suspect the person she attempted to slander has launched legal action against her. China is quite litigious when it comes to reputational matters.
Keeping a low profile at her lawyers request. Civil Court case pending I suspect by her former lover.
No, I heard that she was hanging out with the weapons of mass destruction in Iraq – that was just after repelling an attack by the North Vietnamese navy in the Gulf of Tonkin.
Was that before or after she went shopping with the Dubai Princess?
I would like to see Mr Tylie taken out and flogged. His messing about with the Novak Djokovic Open has made us look like fools, though Morrison does that unaided most of the time. How the hell does a tinpot sports director have any role in what might be a medical exemption? Keep the politics out of sport my arse. International sport is a political game all the way, look at the Olympics, why else do they host it? Why else did Qatar bribe its way to a world cup? You can carry on like a friggin’ idiot at the open, you can carry on in the middle of a serve, you can be half drunk or more, but wear a simple t-shirt? Dear me no. One of the reasons why I no longer watch the game I am over the spoilt brats, and the pandering to them, though I still like it when Ms Barty wins.
Pleased that the Tennis people are able to use taxpayer funded cops to enforce rules they make up themselves. I have a rule, that I made up myself, that people cant bring their dogs to my place to crap on my lawn. Can the cops help me with that?
Interesting counterpoint
https://johnmenadue.com/the-peng-shuai-affair-the-wests-reaction-should-be-laughed-out-of-court/
The issue is about whether TA is afraid of upsetting the bully we know as China Inc. or is it just the CCP that is the bully? Dissent makes a democracy grows stronger. Authoritarian Bullies don’t have that depth of emotional capacity. Everything that isn’t of their making is a threat.
This same rubbish happened last year with the “Dubai Princess” IIRC (and who was subsequently found to be shopping with her friends). No apology forthcoming from “the West” of course. The purpose of the P&I article is to highlight the “guilty until proven innocent” approach of “the West”.
What bullying? From other countries perspective, “the West” are the bullies. Are you referring to the usual Western Sanctions (Economic Coercion) because someone has a different view to “the West” (who consistently refuse to acknowledge their own issues)? China has a Secret Trial due to National Security? Outrage from Australia and the rest of “the West” but when it’s Witness K, that’s OK. Post troops inside your own country and you are accused of wanting to “invade Ukraine” but actually invade Iraq or Afghanistan that’s OK. I nearly choked when that idiot Blinken raised that “invasion of a Sovereign nation” is not on (except when “the West” does it).
Drew Pavlou has turned his little Anti-China crusade into a profitable (for him anyway) business and pretty sure that TA are aware of that. Good on them. There is no place for politics in Sport.
If beliefs were universal we would not be where we are now. Different cultures, different beliefs. I am all for Universal Human Rights but they must be truly Universal, not just Western beliefs.
There is no single version of “Democracy” and Sovereign Nations are entitled to determine their own political system without interference (but we can’t have that can we?). It seems that “Democracy” must only be the Western way rather than what works for the country concerned. Singapore is a “Democracy” but try criticising the (incredibly popular) Government. You won’t get far.
What is “the West” so afraid of? Being shown for how ineffectual that it is? Sounds to me like everything that isn’t from the White West is a threat.
Interesting rant. Not relevant, but interesting. I particularly like your palpable anger at the hypocrisies and complexities we all struggle with. Have you disengaged the actions of governments from the people yet? For instance, commentators like to say Australia is the laughing stock of the world. Period. These commentators don’t say the right wing government of Australia is the laughing stock….. and many Australian people are embarrassed by its actions (and values or lack thereof). See the difference?
Good on TA for keeping politics out of sport (particularly when the accusations are unproven).This same thing happened last year with the “Dubai Princess” IIRC (and who was subsequently found to be shopping with her friends). No apology forthcoming from “the West” of course. The purpose of the P&I article is to highlight the “guilty until proven innocent” approach of “the West”.
I had a much longer response but the modbot attacked!