The Australian tennis federation banned the Russian and Belarusian flags at stadiums where the Australian Open is being held on Tuesday after a The protest of the Ukrainian ambassadorVasyl Myroshnychenko, who saw the symbols of those countries in the stands on the day that opened the main draw of the first Grand Slam of the season.

The flag of Russia appeared in the stands on Monday in the duel of the first round between the Ukrainian Kateryna Baindl and the Russian Kamilla Rakhimova.

“The flags of Russia and Belarus they are prohibited within the Australian Open,” Tennis Australia said in a statement.

Furthermore, he indicated: “Our initial policy was that fans could bring them, but they could not use them to disturb. Yesterday we had an accident where a Russian flag was posted next to the runway”.

“The ban takes effect immediately. We will continue to work with players and fans to ensure the best possible environment to enjoy tennis.”

Since Moscow’s war against Ukraine, tennis players from Russia and even Belarus, which supported the invasion, have been competing under a neutral flag, as they do at the Melbourne Grand Slam.

In this context, the Ukrainian ambassador to Australia and New Zealand called on Tennis Australia on Monday evening to take action against the display of these flags.

“I strongly condemn public display of the Russian flag during Ukrainian tennis player Kateryna Baindl’s match at the Australian Open,” he tweeted.

He added: “I request Tennis Australia to enforce its ‘flag neutral’ policy immediately.”

Baindl won the match 7-5, 6-7 (10/8), 6-1 and will face American Caty McNally in the second round.

The statement of the Ukrainian ambassador to Australia

Ambassador Myroshnychenko called last week for the tournament to completely ban players from Russia and Belarus from participating.

Wimbledon opted for this measure last year and banned players from these two countries from the tournament, who consequently did not count towards the ATP and WTA rankings by decision.

Belarusian and world number five, Aryna Sabalenka, said she is not against the ban on flags “if everyone felt better that way”, but noted that sport “has nothing to do with politics”.

Asked if she understood that some Ukrainian fans might be upset by seeing those flags, she replied: “I’m pretty sure it annoys them and if Tennis Australia has made this decision to make them feel better, that’s fine.”

With information from AFP.

IS