today 16:15
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Former tennis player Martina Navratilova criticized the organizers of the Australian Open grand slam for banning fans from wearing T-shirts expressing support for Chinese player Shuai Pcheng. She called the Australians’ cowardly.
The world tennis community has been interested in the fate of Shuai Pcheng since November, when they leaked information that she had been the victim of a sexual assault by a Chinese politician. The WTA has repeatedly raised concerns about its safety and has even suspended tournaments in the country. The player called everything a misunderstanding.
At the Melbourne tournament, security and police prevented several fans from wearing T-shirts “Where is Shui Pcheng?” The organizers argued that it was a political slogan that is forbidden. “I think it’s very cowardly. It wasn’t a political slogan, it’s about human rights. It’s bad. The Australian Union has simply given up and lets the Chinese dictate what they can do in their grand slam,” The DPA quoted the 18-time Grand Slam champion from an interview with the Tennis Channel.
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