Australian Open criticized for stopping Peng Shuai protest

By Ben Church and Angus Watson, CNN

Updated 1320 GMT (2120 HKT) January 24, 2022

ReplayMore Videos ...MUST WATCH(15 Videos)Tennis star Peng Shuai changes story on assault allegationsLawyer breaks down what Djokovic's team could do nextHear Djokovic's Serbian fans react to his Covid-19 scandal Djokovic trains as questions linger over eligibility to play in Australian OpenCNN anchor breaks down Djokovic's lengthy statement amid controversyHear from Djokovic's family as tennis star wins appealTennis stars react to Djokovic's Australian Open debacle'A disgrace': See how some Australians are reacting to Djokovic visa rowDjokovic's former coach: Novak should speak openlyDaniil Medvedev on stopping Novak Djokovic's calendar grand slamEmma Raducanu speaks to CNN after US Open winPatrick Mouratoglou on Leylah Fernandez and Emma RaducanuDaniil Medvedev on the 2021 US OpenUS tennis star to miss Olympics after positive Covid-19 testAshleigh Barty on her Olympic 'dream'

Sydney, Australia (CNN)The Australian Open is facing criticism over its handing of a small protest against the Chinese Communist Party's alleged mistreatment of tennis playerPeng Shuai.

Protestors unfurled a banner reading 'Where Is Peng Shuai' during the match between China's Wang Qiang and American Madison Keys and one of the protesters also wore a t-shirt with the same slogan supporting Peng.Security guards at the Australian Open on Friday ended the protest, according to Max Mok, who was one of three people involved in the demonstration.Yao Ming: Chinese basketball legend says Peng Shuai in 'pretty good condition' during December meetingMok told CNN that security guards initially confiscated the banner citing a tournament ban on political paraphernalia. The guards