MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) – Four people were kicked out of the Australian Open after displaying Russian flags – which have been banned from Melbourne Park – and threatening security guards, police and Tennis Australia said Thursday.
A Victoria Police spokeswoman said the four have not been charged but were ejected from the scene.
The flags, at least one of which featured a picture of Vladimir Putin, were waved during a gathering outside Rod Laver Arena after Novak Djokovic beat Russian player Andrey Rublev in straight sets in the quarter-finals of the year’s first Grand Slam tennis tournament on Wednesday night. .
“A small group of people displayed inappropriate flags and symbols and threatened security guards after a match on Wednesday night and were ejected. … Players and their teams have been briefed and reminded of the event policy regarding flags and symbols and to avoid any situation that has the potential to cause disruption,” Tennis Australian said in a statement. “We continue to work closely with event security and law enforcement agencies.”
On 17 January, the second day of the Australian Open, flags of Russia and Belarus were banned from Melbourne Park after more than one were brought into the stands by spectators the previous day.
Usually, flags can be displayed during matches at Melbourne Park. But Tennis Australia reversed that policy for the two countries involved in the invasion of Ukraine that began almost a year ago, saying the flags were causing disruption.
Athletes from Russia and Belarus were banned from competing in various sporting events last year, including the men’s World Cup in soccer and Wimbledon, the Billie Jean King Cup and the Davis Cup in tennis because of the war in Ukraine. Russia invaded, with help from Belarus, in February.
Russian and Belarusian players have been allowed to play at the Australian Open, French Open and US Open, but as “neutral” athletes, so their nationalities are not recognized on any official schedules or results for the event, and their country’s flag is not shown on television – graphics.
At the Australian Open, two women representing Belarus – Victoria Azarenka and Aryna Sabalenka – and one man representing Russia – Karen Khachanov – reached the singles semi-finals.
On Wednesday, the International Olympic Committee said athletes should not be penalized for their nationality and made clear it wants Russians to be able to compete at the 2024 Paris Olympics as “neutral” athletes.
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