The Australian Open banned Russia and Belarus flags after the “incident”.

MELBOURNE, Australia – Tennis Australia has banned Russian and Belarus flags at the Australian Open after a Russian flag was spotted hanging on the court during Monday’s first-round match between Ukraine’s Kateryna Baindli and Russia’s Kamilla Rakhimova.

“Russian and Belarus flags are prohibited on-site at the Australian Open,” Tennis Australia said in a statement on Tuesday. “Our original policy was that fans could bring them in but could not use them to cause disruption. Yesterday we had an incident where the flag was placed on the side of the field.

“The ban is effective immediately. We will continue to work with our players and fans to ensure the best possible environment to enjoy tennis.”

A red, white and blue striped Russian flag was hung on the fence behind Court 14 on Monday afternoon at Melbourne Park.

Baindl won the match in three sets and advanced to the second round of the tournament.

The act drew the ire of Ukraine’s ambassador to Australia and New Zealand, Vasyl Myroshnychenko, who called on Tennis Australia to ban the flag from the tournament.

“I strongly condemn the public display of the Russian flag during Ukrainian tennis player Kateryna Baindli’s match at the Australian Open today,” Myroshnychenko wrote on Twitter. “I call on Tennis Australia to immediately implement their ‘neutral flag’ policy.

I strongly condemn the public display of the Russian flag during Ukrainian tennis player Kateryna Baindli’s match at the Australian Open today. I call on Tennis Australia to immediately implement their ‘neutral flag’ policy. @TennisAustralia @AustralianOpen pic.twitter.com/zw8pLN4FIF

Vasyl Myroshnychenko (@AmbVasyl) January 16, 2023

Another Russia ticket was offered to Russian player Daniil Medvedev for autographs after he beat Marcos Giron 6-0, 6-1, 6-2 on Monday night at Rod Laver Arena.

Russian and Belarusian players will be able to compete at this year’s Australian Open, but cannot do so under their flag or their country’s name – a common practice in world sport since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022.

Last year, players from these countries were banned from competing at Wimbledon, forcing the sport’s governing bodies to strip the tournament of ranking points.

Asked about the new ticket ban, Belarusian player Aryna Sabalenka said after her first-round win on Tuesday that she wanted politics and sport to remain separate, but she understood Tennis Australia’s decision.

“I mean, if everybody feels better this way, that’s OK,” said Sabalenka, a three-time Grand Slam semifinalist who is seeded No. 5 at Melbourne Park. “I’m not in control. What can I say? They did it. OK. No tickets? No tickets.”

Ukraine’s second-ranked player Marta Kostyuk insisted on Monday that she would not shake hands with Russian or Belarusian players because she believed they had not done enough to speak out against her nation.

“I don’t really talk to anyone,” Kostjuk said of his Russian and Belarusian colleagues. – I hardly say ‘hello’ to them.

“I haven’t changed about the war and everything that’s going on on tour. Because people who just say they don’t want war, that’s what gets us [Ukraine] sounds like we want war. Apparently we don’t want war either.”

The Associated Press contributed to this story.