- Certain Australian Open players cannot compete under their country's flag
- Returning champion Aryna Sabalenka has a 'blue flag' when she competes
Aryna Sabalenka began her title defense at the Australian Open this week and fans noticed an odd detail in the way she was presented on Grand Slam broadcasts.
Sabalenka began her quest for a third consecutive title in Melbourne with a commanding victory over Sloane Stephens in the first round and a comeback in the second set to defeat Jessica Bouzas Maneiro in her next match.
However, the flag of Belarus has noticeably disappeared from the graphic next to its name, and has instead been replaced by a simple blue rectangle.
It is the third year that the Grand Slam has ruled that Russian and Belarusian players cannot play under their nation's flag due to the war between Russia and Ukraine.
Previously, the neutral flag of the tournament was white, but since 2024 it has been blue.
“Players from Russia and Belarus can only compete in international tennis events on an individual basis, and without flags or country recognition, as will be the case at the 2023 Australian Open,” Tennis Australia said ahead of the 2023 event.
Belarusian powerhouse Aryna Sabalenka competes under a 'blue flag' at Australian Open
The Russian and Belarusian flags are banned from the Grand Slam due to the war in Ukraine
“Tennis Australia is united with tennis's international governing bodies – the Grand Slams, the ATP and WTA Tours and the ITF – in its condemnation of Russia's actions and its unprovoked invasion of Ukraine.”
Belarus is under the ban because it allowed Russia to use its territory as a launching pad for the invasion in 2022.
On Wednesday, Sabalenka spoke about how she feels about not being able to represent her nation in the tournament, saying, “That's just the way it is.”
“I was always proud to represent Belarus because it is a small country and I did it from a very small country. “It’s not like I was practicing in the United States or Spain,” he said.
'I felt like he was kind of an inspiration for the next generation. “He was motivating the people there, like the tennis athletes.”
The two-time champion added: “If they are going to bring it (the Belarusian flag) back, I will be happy.” If not, that's fine.'
Sabalenka's name has been engraved on the Daphne Akhurst Memorial trophy for the past two years, but unlike other champions, her nation has not been written next to it.
The tournament's policy is to only allow flags to be flown at matches when they are from the nations of the competing players; however, Russian and Belarusian flags are prohibited regardless of who plays.
Earlier in the week, the Australian Open was accused of being soft on pro-Palestinian protesters who have been accused of violating tournament rules this year.
The tennis star says he hopes to compete under his banner again one day.
Australian Open boss Craig Tiley declared that anyone flying a banned flag at the Grand Slam would be expelled from the venue or arrested by police.
The rules extend to anyone who “displays material intended to disturb, offend, defame or which is political in nature.”
However, photos have emerged from this week's event of fans wearing t-shirts with pro-Palestinian messages.
Australian Jewish Association chief executive Robert Gregory said this was an obvious breach of rules set by officials.
“The rules should apply equally to everyone,” he told News Corp.
'There should be no exception for Palestinian activists.
'Australians have faced anti-Israel protests and riots in our cities for over a year.
“The last place Australians want to see this is in tennis.”