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Flags of Russia and Belarus will not be permitted on the Australian Open going ahead. This comes after a number of flags have been introduced into the stands at Melbourne Park throughout Day 1 of the Grand Slam event.
Traditionally, nation flags are allowed to be displayed throughout all the matches on the Australian Open. However, Tennis Australia altered that coverage for Russia and Belarus after these international locations invaded Ukraine final 12 months.
“Our preliminary coverage was that followers may carry [flags] in however couldn’t use them to trigger disruption,” Tennis Australia stated in a press release on Tuesday. “Yesterday we had an incident the place a flag was positioned courtside. We will proceed to work with the gamers and our followers to make sure that that is the very best atmosphere to benefit from the tennis.”
One Russian flag may very well be seen throughout Ukrainian competitor Kateryna Baindl’s match in opposition to Russian participant Kamilla Rakhimova throughout first spherical play on Monday. In addition, Russian star Daniil Medvedev was supplied a Russian flag to autograph following his 6-0, 6-1, 6-2 win over Marcos Giron on Monday night.
Belarusian participant Aryna Sabalenka was requested in regards to the new flag coverage following his first spherical match. Sabalenka acknowledged that she wished that sports activities and politics could be separate issues, however understood why the choice was made.
“I imply, if everybody feels higher this fashion, then it is OK,” Sabalenka stated. “I’ve zero management on it. What can I say? They did it. OK. No flags? No flags.”
Russian and Belarusian athletes, together with Sabalenka, have been banned from competing at Wimbledon and different occasions such because the Davis Cup and Billie Jean King Cup in 2022 because of the struggle in Ukraine. Since then, Russian and Belarusian gamers have been permitted to enter the opposite Grand Slam tournaments as “impartial” opponents, in order that their nationalities aren’t talked about in any official outcomes.
