Australian Open set for protests as activist warns of ‘big trouble’

Concerns mount over Chinese tennis star Peng Shuai

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Protesters are planning to revive the “Where is Peng Shuai?” movement at next month’s Australian Open following a fall in momentum regarding the tennis player’s plight. Tennis Australia infamously prevented spectators from promoting the message at the 2022 edition of the Melbourne major, initially confiscating “Where is Peng Shuai?” t-shirts before going back on that decision.

But the message is expected to see a resurgence at the first Grand Slam of 2023 following a period of quiet on the cause. Peng Shuai disappeared from public view in November 2021 after she accused former Chinese vice-premier Zhang Gaoli of sexually assaulting her three years prior.

In addition to pacifying patrons at this year’s tournament, Tennis Australia has also faced criticism for its £55million ($100m AUD) sponsorship deal with Chinese liquor label Luzhou Laojiao. One of the courts at Melbourne Park was even renamed ‘1573 Arena’ to promote one of the brand’s better-known spirits.

“Unfortunately for them, they are going to have these political problems on their hands for the next few years,” protest organiser Drew Pavlou told The Guardian. “We are just not going to allow that tension and that contradiction to go unnoticed and we are going to make trouble for Tennis Australia.”

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Little has been heard of former Wimbledon and French Open doubles champion Peng over the course of this year. She announced her retirement from tennis in early 2022, just a few months after going public about Zhang’s alleged assault.

The 36-year-old has taken part in only a handful of interviews since that revelation, with many sympathisers concerned her actions are being controlled by the Chinese government. The Australian Open’s connections with the state make it a pertinent place to put her purported plight back in the public eye.

Tennis Australia chief executive Craig Tiley confirmed the decision to overturn the short-lived ban on “Where is Peng Shuai?” merchandise at this year’s Open. He later said the t-shirt protests would be permitted provided “they [activists] are not coming as a mob to be disruptive but are peaceful.”

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There is yet to be any formal investigation conducted regarding Peng’s sexual assault claims. Despite a surge in appeals demanding information of the ex-pro’s wellbeing, the WTA is the only major tennis body that has campaigned consistently on the matter.

“I support the protests,” added three-time Australian Open-winner Martina Navratilova. “The Women’s Tennis Association is the only one that has actually tried to do something [about Peng Shuai].”

A protester was kicked out of Centre Court at Wimbledon 2022 after he shouted “Where is Peng Shuai?” during the final between Novak Djokovic and Nick Kyrgios. The 11th edition of the Australian Open is due to kick off on January 14, with a new women’s champion set to be crowned following titleholder Ashleigh Barty’s retirement from tennis.

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