It has become quite common in recent months for various sporting authorities to mix politics and sports considering the Russia-Ukraine conflict. In a controversial decision, back in 2022, Russian and Belarusian players were banned by the All England Club. Politics and sports, two seemingly disparate areas, are again getting mixed by another controversial ban. In the ongoing Australian Open, fans were initially allowed to display their nation’s flags during the Grand Slam event in Melbourne.

However, the recent decision by the authorities to ban Russian and Belarusian flags has surprised some of the spectators. The controversial decision came after a Russian flag was placed courtside during the first-round match between the Ukrainian tennis player Kateryna Baindl and the Russian player, Kamilla Rakhimova.

Russian and Belarusian flags banned by Australian Open authorities

Fans were generally allowed to bring their countries’ flags to the season’s first Grand Slam event on the policy of not causing any “disruption”. However, the authorities have made some changes to their policies after a Russian flag was displayed in support of Kamilla Rakhimova. She played her first-round match against the Ukrainian Kateryna Baindl yesterday. Following the match, a statement announcing the ban on the Russian and Belarusian flags was released by Tennis Australia, reported by 7news Australia.

The Australian Open authorities further want to create “the best possible environment” for all the players and the fans. They don’t want any sort of “disruption” that might affect them during the Grand Slam event in Melbourne Park. Notably, the news came out that stated, “Flags from Russia and Belarus have been banned from the Australian Open, effective immediately.

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Some of the Russian flags were spotted during the first-round fixtures of the Australian Open. Another flag was noticed after the Russian player Daniil Medvedev defeated Marcos Giron during his first-round match in Melbourne Park. The flag was offered to him in order to get an autograph on it.

When Wimbledon banned Russian and Belarusian players

The All England Club’s ban on Russian and Belarusian players from the Grand Slam event in 2022 sparked a lot of controversies. The players belonging to the two countries were banned considering Russia’s invasion of Ukraine that began in February, a year ago. However, the Wimbledon authorities’ decision was later criticized by a slew of players and fans as well.

The Russian ATP star, Andrey Rublev, also used his platform to address the decision taken by the authorities. He questioned the ban by saying that they want “Peace”.

The Belarusian tennis player, Aryna Sabalenka, also used her platform to criticize the ban imposed by the All England Club, and expressed her disappointment over the decision to mix sports with politics.

What do you think of the ban on the Russian and Belarusian flags? Let us know in the comments section.