Tennis Australia, which organises the Australian Open, reiterated its long-standing policy on Monday of “not allowing banners, signs or clothing that are commercial or political”.
Last month on China’s Twitter-like Weibo platform, Peng Shuai had alleged that former vice-premier Zhang Gaoli coerced her into sex during an on-off relationship spanning several years.
World number one Justine Henin goes into the Australian Open as the overwhelming favourite after an inspired 2007, but there is no shortage of challengers. Among them is superstar defending champion Serena Williams, who stunned the tennis world by winning the title last year in her comeback event following an injury-plagued 2006.
American ace Venus Williams said she did not think corruption was a big problem in tennis, as she limbered up in Hong Kong for the Australian Open. ”No. I don’t think it is a big thing for tennis, to be honest,” she told reporters, when asked whether she had seen any evidence of match-fixing.