A Russian flag was visible in the crowd during Kamilla Rakhimova’s first-round match against Ukraine’s Kateryna Baindl on Monday, prompting calls from Ukraine’s ambassador to Australia and New Zealand for action to be taken.
TA on Tuesday confirmed a policy reversal that will now see flags from Russia and Belarus banned anywhere onsite at Melbourne Park for the rest of the year’s first grand slam. “Our initial policy was that fans could bring them in but could not use them to cause disruption,” the statement said. “Yesterday we had an incident where a flag was placed courtside. The ban is effective immediately. We will continue to work with the players and our fans to ensure the best possible environment to enjoy the tennis.”
Displaying the Russian flag is supporting the Russian state and its activities which a great many Russians do ! All except the Russian tennis players have their flag displayed alongside their names ! Russian athletes compete under a neutral flag . Go figure !!
Forget about flags, ban Putin, his generals, his military and his govt from using any of the worlds airports.
BlakGreenRed Sick of the thugs using sport to push their thuggery
Just turn it upside down and it is a 1992-2004 version Serbian flag! Or bring any red, blue, white tri-colour flag to confuse them
Polish ambassador should protest the Ukrainian flag. Ukraine bombed Poland 2 killed then tried to blame Russia.
See, Australia is a free and liberal democracy LOL 🤣
It's disgraceful that Russian players are even given visas let alone allowed to play in the Australian open. I for one will not watch one single match because of this.
the real racists expose themselves every time they get an opportunity to, they love to divide people it makes them feel good and it shows, aboriginals get cheaper tickets is racist but they're happy about it just like the flag.
Russian playing against a Ukrainian. Both should be able to display their respective flags. Not as a show pf support for Putin and the war but as a show of support for the player.
You can support Ukraine and still find the banning of national flags inappropriate.
Keep politic out of sport
A cowardly decision. Australia has no concept of free expression because we never stopped being a penal colony.
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