Russia flag spotted at Australian Open match between Ukrainian and Russian star

On Jan 17, 2023

A Russian flag was spotted in the crowd at the Australian Open as Kateryna Baindl beat Kamilla Rakhimova.

The opening round draw pitting Ukrainian Baindl against Russia’s Rakhimova caught the eye with the two nations still at war after Vladimir Putin launched an invasion of their neighbours last year. Tennis has been one of many sports to put sanctions in place since then.

While Wimbledon banned Russian and Belarusian players altogether, they’ve been allowed to compete under a neutral flag Down Under. But the red, blue and white of Russia were still seen at Melbourne Park on Monday (January 16).

Four men appeared to have placed the flag in the bushes behind them as they watched on. One was wearing a Russia top while another had a shirt which appeared to have Putin’s face on.

Ukraine’s Ambassador to Australia, Vasyl Myroshnychenko, called on organisers to crack down. He tweeted: “I strongly condemn the public display of the Russian flag during the game of the Ukrainian tennis player Kateryna Baindl at the Australian Open today. I call on Tennis Australia to immediately enforce its ‘neutral flag’ policy.”

Former Australian ambassador to Ukraine, Doug Trappett, was also unimpressed. He wrote: “Embarrassing @AustralianOpen – and it’s only day one!

Ukraine’s Ambassador to Australia, Vasyl Myroshnychenko, condemned the incident
(Image: Getty Images)

“You could have banned Russian players and positioned yourself to give a robust response to such predictable incidents but you chose spinelessness. How painful for Ukrainians – including after atrocities by Russia in Dnipro yest[erday].”

The WTA have been called out for hypocrisy as a fan was asked to remove a Ukrainian flag at the Cincinnati Open last August during a match between two Russian players, Anastasia Potapova and Anna Kalinskaya.

The action on the court saw Baindl come out on top, winning 7-5, 6-7, 6-1 to set up a second round tie with American Caty McNally on Wednesday (January 18).