Australian Open lifts ban on T-shirts with the slogan 'Where is Peng Shuai?' amid fan backlash

Organizers of the Australian Open have decided to reverse their decision to ban T-shirts donning the slogan ‘Where is Peng Shuai?’ - but banners will remain forbidden from being displayed at Melbourne Park.

Tennis Australia were forced to defend themselves after security at Melbourne Park ordered spectators to remove T-shirts and banners that supported Chinese tennis player Peng Shuai. The decision received heavy criticism, including from 18-time Grand Slam champion Martina Navratilova, who branded the decision 'cowardly'.

Victoria Azarenka, a member of the WTA Players’ Council, has also expressed her support for the doubles star while a protest has been planned for the women's final.

Tennis Australia chief executive Craig Tiley has since decided to allow such T-shirts as long as fans possess no ‘intent to disrupt’. But banners remain banned.

“If someone wants to wear a T-shirt and make a statement about Peng Shuai, that’s fine,” he said, before commenting on banners. “It really takes away from the comfort and safety of the fans.”

After incidents with t-shirts and banners in support of Shuai at Melbourne Park, a spokesperson for Tennis Australia said: “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 the global tennis community to seek more clarity on her situation.”