Azerbaijani tennis chiefs demand action against Karen Khachanov over provocative posts

Australian Open semi-finalist Karen Khachanov is at the center of a political controversy after she used her matches to show support for the breakaway Artsakh region.

Historically, part of Armenia, Artsakh or the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic, is internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan and has been the source of two conflicts since 1990, as well as repeated clashes, including a blockade.

Hachanov, who is Russian but has an Armenian father, has twice written messages on the camera lens following tournament wins urging Artsakh to stay strong, while Melbourne’s Armenian community has brought flags of the region to the venue.

I have Armenian roots, Khachanov said after defeating Sebastian Korda in the quarterfinals at Melbourne Park.

On my father’s side, on my grandfather’s side, even on my mother’s side. I am half Armenian. To be honest, I don’t want to go any deeper than that and I just wanted to show strength and support to my people. That’s it.

Khachanov’s actions prompted the Azerbaijan Tennis Federation to write a protest letter to the International Tennis Federation.

Calling the messages a provocation and a hateful act, the ATF statement said: While it has become customary for tennis players to write their heartfelt words about the joy of victory on the camera lens, Khachanov used it to carry out his cunning plan.

The Tennis Federation of Azerbaijan sent a protest letter to the International Tennis Federation (ITF), according to which the provocation is unacceptable. The letter presented the facts and legal documents related to the provocation against our country.

The Azerbaijan Tennis Federation condemns this incident and to prevent such a situation from happening again, there have been calls for punishment of the tennis player and stricter measures to prevent such incidents in the future. We hope that the matter can be resolved objectively soon.

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The ITF has yet to comment publicly on the matter, but Hachanov, who was unaware of Azerbaijan’s response, said officials had not told him anything about the additional messages.

Hachanov advanced to the semifinals of a second consecutive Grand Slam American Korda retired due to a wrist injury trailing 7-6 (7-5), 6-3, 3-0.

Article Azerbaijani tennis chiefs demand action against Karen Khachanov over provocative posts appeared first on Tennis365.com.