Martina Navratilova, a tennis star, criticised the Australian Open‘s decision to prohibit fans from wearing “Where is Peng Shuai?” t-shirts as campaigners promised to distribute them in large numbers.

After a video emerged of security staff appearing to force spectators to remove shirts and a banner in favour of Peng Shuai, tournament organisers claimed Peng’s safety was “our first concern” on Sunday.

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The former world number one in doubles is missing from the Grand Slam, and there are concerns for her safety after she claimed online in November that she was “forced” into sex during a years-long on-again, off-again romance with a former Chinese vice-premier.

Her claims were swiftly dismissed, and the 36-year-old went missing for about three weeks before reappearing in public in China. However, there are still doubts about whether she is truly free.

“That is truly pitiful. On this, the @wta is pretty much alone!!!” Navratilova, an 18-time Grand Slam winner, used the hashtag #WhereisPengShuai to tweet about the t-shirt ban.

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The Women’s Tennis Association has received much appreciation for its stance on Peng, which includes asking to hear directly from her and cancelling competitions in China. Leading players at the Australian Open have expressed their want to hear personally from Peng so that they may be confident of her safety multiple times.

Nicolas Mahut, a French player who was eliminated out of the doubles in the first round in Melbourne, argued on Twitter that the organisers were caving into Chinese corporate support. “What the hell is going on!? What a lack of bravery! What would you do if you didn’t have Chinese backers? “he penned

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Luzhou Laojiao, a Chinese distillery, is one of the Australian Open’s major sponsors. Tennis Australia stated on Sunday that “we do not accept commercial or political attire, banners, or signs” as part of its ticket policies. “The safety of Peng Shuai is our top priority,” a spokeswoman continued.

“We are continuing to work with the WTA and the international tennis community to gain further clarification on her position, and we will do everything we can to secure her safety.” Within two days, a GoFundMe page set up to raise money to produce more T-shirts had met its Aus$10,000 (US$7,100) goal. “We’re printing 1,000 t-shirts and we’re going to see how many people they can stop,” activist Max Mok told ABC.