Australian Open: Navratilova criticizes handling of Peng protests
Tennis icon Martina Navratilova has criticized the organizers of the Australian Open for handling protests in the Peng Shuai case .
by SID
last edit: Jan 24, 2022, 03:18 pm
The 65-year-old said it was "pathetic" that security forces prevented spectators from wearing t-shirts reading "Where's Peng Shuai?" at Melbourne Park. to wear.
"It's just pathetic. The WTA is pretty much alone with it!!!" tweeted the 18-time Grand Slam winner. The WTA women's tennis association had repeatedly positioned itself clearly and called for transparent clarification after the allegations of abuse by the former world number one in doubles against former Chinese Deputy Prime Minister Zhang Gaoli. Peng has hardly appeared in public since the beginning of November.
After criticism of their approach, the organizers in Melbourne said their admission conditions "allowed no clothing, banners or signs that are commercial or political". However, the safety of Peng Shuai is her main concern. Activists meanwhile announced that they would like to print 1000 T-shirts and bring as many as possible into the arenas of the Australian Open.