“Ban all flags next year if you can’t get this right”, Australian Open getting slammed for Russian “invasion” and security failures

Australian Open is being criticized for allowing security breach and policy regulations.

“Ban all flags next year if you can’t get this right”, Australian Open getting slammed for Russian “invasion” and security failures

Australian Open protests

The tennis world goes furious as the Australian Open yet again failed to suppress the Russian protests. There were criticisms against Tennis Australia from all over the world for not being able to meet the security measures they promised. The latest episode happened outside the Rod Laver Arena where the Russian supporters waved flags and brought a banner of President Vladimir Putin.

Journalist Ben Rothenberg tweeted, “Effin’ hell. Both the Russian flag and the ‘Z’ logo of the Russian invasion of Ukraine were banned from the Australian Open…and yet here they both are, along with Putin’s face, at some impromptu patriotic pep rally. Half the singles semifinalists are “flagless“

YouTube video

Rothenberg further quoted, “This is a pretty clear Australian Open security failure, given the instructions they’ve been given. Maybe just ban all flags next year if you can’t get this right? Tennis could do with less nationalism, anyhow, even if that is the increasing trend.” A lot of people are seen criticizing the Australian Open for not enforcing the rules strictly.

FS Video

The Australian Open has specific rules for the Russian and Belurasian players in the context of the ongoing war. Before the start of the tournament, tournament director of the Australian Open and Tennis Australia CEO Craig Tiley made it clear that the Russian and Belurasian players will be allowed under a neutral flag. He had said, “At this point, Russian and Belarusian players will be eligible to play in the Australian Open.”

Also Read: “The louder and more emotional it is the better,” Boris Becker believes Novak Djokovic ‘thrives’ playing in noisy atmospheres

Three of the Australian Open semifinalists are playing under a neutral flag

Karen Khachanov

Despite the allegations around the flags and protests, two of the Women’s semifinalists in this year’s Australian Open are playing under a neutral flag. One of the Belurasian World No.24 Victoria Azarenka will take on World No.25 Elena Rybakina from Kazhakstan. In the other semifinal, World No.5 Aryna Sabalenka from Belarus will take on Polish World No.45 Magda Linette.

On the men’s side, World No.20 Karen Khachanov, from Russia plays under a neutral flag. Khachanov will take on the Greek World No.4 Stefanos Tsitsipas in the semi-finals. If he is able to beat the Greek, most probably the Serbian World No.5 Novak Djokovic will be his opponent in the final. The Serbian is looking unstoppable at the moment will take on American World No.35 Tommy Paul in the other semi-final.

There are chances that the women’s final could be a battle between two players competing under neutral flags. In a tournament that doesn’t approve of even bringing Russian/Belurasian flags to the stadium, a battle between two of those players could witness a dramatic end.

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