WTA chief Steve Simon said Monday the organisation maintained concern for the wellbeing of Peng Shuai after the Chinese tennis player issued a further denial of sexual assault allegations.

Chinese tennis star Peng Shuai said she never accused anyone of sexual assault, according to an interview published Monday, again walking back an allegation that sparked worldwide concern about her safety.

The International Olympic Committee would support an inquiry into the allegation of sexual assault made by Peng Shuai against a top-ranking Chinese politician -- if she calls for one, its president Thomas Bach said Thursday.

Saturday's protest comes after Australian Open chief Craig Tiley changed the competition's stance on "political" clothing -- deciding to allow the t-shirts inside as long as demonstrators remained peaceful.

Peng, a former world number one in doubles, has been the subject of worldwide concern since alleging in November that she had been "forced" into sex by former vice-premier Zhang Gaoli during an on-off relationship.

The about-turn followed video emerging on Sunday of security staff ordering spectators to remove shirts and a banner in support of the Chinese player at Melbourne Park

The former doubles world number one is absent from the Grand Slam and there are fears for her wellbeing after she alleged online in November that she had been sexually assaulted by a Chinese former vice-premier.

World number three Garbine Muguruza said Saturday that the "real truth" about what happened to Peng Shuai may never be known after the tennis star accused a senior Chinese politician of sexual assault.

Chinese tennis star Peng Shuai has denied accusing anyone of sexual assault in her first media comments since publicly alleging that a top Communist Party official had assaulted her.

Fresh unverified footage of Peng Shuai was posted online by a state-affiliated journalist on Sunday as international concern persists for the Chinese tennis star.