For the Fourth Year in a Row, the Australian Open has Banned Russian and Belarussian Flags!
By AussieCossack
For the fourth year in a row, the Australian Open has banned Russian and Belarussian flags!
Previously, the ‘neutral flag’ was a white colour. However, because of a new scoreboard design, the flag has been a blue colour since 2024.
“Players from Russia and Belarus are only able to compete in international tennis events as individuals – and without flags or country recognition – which will be the case for Australian Open 2023,” Tennis Australia said via a statement before the 2023 event.
“Tennis Australia stands united with the international governing bodies of tennis – the grand slams, the ATP and WTA Tours and the ITF – in its condemnation of Russia’s actions and its unprovoked invasion of Ukraine.”
This decision affects several high-level players, including top 20 men’s players Daniil Medvedev, Andrey Rublev and Karen Khachanov, as well as top 20 women’s players Aryna Sabalenka, Daria Kasatkina, Diana Shnaider, Anna Kalinskaya and Mirra Andreeva.
