Australian Open bans flags from Russia, Belarus on web site

Flags from Russia and Belarus had been banned from the location of the Australian Open on Tuesday after multiple was introduced into the stands by spectators on Day 1 of the 12 months’s first Grand Slam event.

Normally, flags will be displayed throughout matches at Melbourne Park. But Tennis Australia reversed that coverage for the 2 international locations concerned within the invasion of Ukraine that started almost a 12 months in the past.

“Our initial policy was that fans could bring (flags) in but could not use them to cause disruption,” Tennis Australia mentioned in a press release on Tuesday. “Yesterday we had an incident where a flag was placed courtside. We will continue to work with the players and our fans to ensure that this is the best possible environment to enjoy the tennis.”

One Russian flag was displayed throughout Ukrainian participant Kateryna Baindl’s 7-5, 6-7 (8), 6-1 victory over Russian participant Kamilla Rakhimova on Court 14 within the first spherical on Monday.

Another was provided to Russian participant Daniil Medvedev to autograph after his 6-0, 6-1, 6-2 win over Marcos Giron in Rod Laver Arena.

Athletes from Russia and Belarus had been barred from competing at Wimbledon and crew occasions such because the Billie Jean King Cup and Davis Cup final 12 months due to the struggle in Ukraine. Russia invaded, with assist from Belarus, in February.

Russian and Belarusian gamers have been allowed to enter the opposite three Grand Slam tournaments however as “neutral” athletes, so their nationalities should not acknowledged on any official schedules or outcomes for the occasion and their international locations’ flags should not displayed on TV graphics.