Australian Open security guards order fan to remove shirt featuring message supporting Chinese tennis player

Tennis Australia is standing by its decision to order an Australian Open spectator to remove a shirt that featured a message in support of Peng Shuai amid ongoing concerns for the Chinese tennis star's welfare.

Over the weekend, footage emerged of security and police at the Australian Open requesting a spectator remove her shirt, which featured an image of Peng on the front and the message "Where Is Peng Shuai?" on the back.

The video ends with police saying that Tennis Australia was permitted to confiscate any paraphernalia that referenced Peng.

Tennis Australia told News Corp Australia that while it feared for Peng's safety, fans were not permitted to make political statements with their clothing at the Australian Open.

A Tennis Australia spokesperson advised "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 global tennis community to seek more clarity on her situation and will do everything we can to ensure her wellbeing."

This morning it has emerged that Tennis Australia has a lucrative $100 million sponsorship deal with a Chinese liquor company.

Sydney radio host Ben Fordham accused organisers of trying to protect their bank balance, pointing to the open's five-year sponsorship deal with Chinese liquor brand Luzhou Laojiao.

@drewpavlou Shocking attack on free speech at the Australian Open yesterday #foryyou #aussie #Drew4Senate ♬ original sound - DrewPavlou

The deal is one of the biggest in the tournament's history, with the event renaming a Melbourne Park court 1573 Arena after one of Luzhou's signature products.

The five-year deal, reported to be worth $100 million, was signed in 2018 with the Chinese company taking over advertising space from Victorian winemaker Jacob's Creek  - the tournament's previous partner.

Tennis Australia's Craig Tiley confident Novak Djokovic will return
The weekend also saw Tennis Australia Chief Executive and Tournament Director Craig Tiley advise that Novak Djokovic will not be taking legal action against the government body and will return for 2023 Australian Open.

While Djokovic’s visa cancellation  and deportation would normally come with three-year ban on re-entry, Tiley believes the world no 1 tennis star will exempted under “compelling circumstances”.

Tiley, who had made on statement about Djokovic’s deportation, told ABC TV that the star was not considering taking legal action against Tennis Australia over its role in the saga.

When asked if Tennis Australia was being sued, Tiley stated “no … I mean there is going to be lots of reports on different things but we are in a position where we are focused on delivering an event right now and we will continue to deliver a great event.”

Speaking to the ABC on Sunday, Tiley refused to say why his organisation seemingly ignored letters from federal health authorities that clearly stated that “people who contracted COVID-19 within the past six months and seek to enter Australia from overseas and have not received two doses of an approved … vaccine are not considered fully vaccinated”.

Image: A spectator at the Australian Open wearing a Peng Shuai t-shirt. Credit: TIKTOK/Drew Pavlou.