Australian Open Prohibits Russian and Belarusian Flags from Tournament

• The flags could be brought inside Melbourne Park by spectators.
• The Victorian state government praised Tennis Australia for its wise choice.
• The prohibition is in force right away.

Following a courtside altercation, the Australian Open tennis tournament has prohibited the use of the Russian and Belarusian flags.

The flags could be brought inside Melbourne Park by spectators as long as they don’t “disrupt” the event.

But on Tuesday, after spectators waved a Russian flag during a match between Russian Kamilla Rakhimova and Ukrainian Kateryna Baindl, the organisers changed their minds.

The prohibition is in force right away.

Tennis Australia said in a statement, “We will continue to work with the players and our fans to guarantee the greatest possible environment to enjoy the tennis.

In the opening round encounter on Monday, Ukrainian fans allege they phoned police and security because they thought Russian fans were “taunting” Baindl.

One supporter told the local daily The Age, “This is fundamentally unsafe, the war is still going on.” Because of the small court and the guys’ near proximity to the players, there was a sense of intimidation, in my opinion.

However, one of the involved Russian guys claimed to The Age that his group had only been encouraging their countrywoman.

“People might think that was rude, but we were simply being typical fans. There was no mockery or disdain.”

Earlier, Tennis Australia had been urged to take action by the ambassador of Ukraine to Australia and New Zealand.

Since the invasion of Ukraine started in February of last year, athletes from Russia and Belarus have been prohibited from competing under the flags of their nations in a variety of sports, including tennis.

While athletes from the two nations compete at the Australian Open under a neutral white flag, they were completely barred from Wimbledon in 2022.

The Association of Tennis Professionals and Women’s Tennis Association later punished the organisers and took away the tournament’s ranking points. According to the WTA, competitors’ rights to fair opportunities to compete as individuals must be upheld.

On Tuesday, the Victorian state government praised Tennis Australia for its wise choice.

The invasion of Ukraine by Russia is disgusting, according to acting premier Jancinta Allan. “International human rights commitments are violated. Belarus has encouraged and supported it.”

“[This] sends a very, very clear message that human rights are important, whether it’s in sport, or more broadly in our community.”

The prohibition follows Ukrainian tennis star Marta Kostyuk’s declaration that she would refuse to shake hands with Russian and Belarusian opponents because she feels they haven’t done enough to denounce the invasion.

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