“To all Russian or Belarusian matches,” Alexandr Dolgopolov urges fans to bring Ukrainian flags after a fan supporting Ukraine was removed from the Cincinnati Open
Follow Us
Lola, the fan escorted in Cincinnati, Alexandr Dolgopolov
Former World No. 13 Alexandr Dolgopolov is currently fighting for his motherland Ukraine in the ongoing war against Russia that started on 24th February 2022 and has wreaked havoc on the nation causing a lot of damage to human life and infrastructure alike. Dolgopolov signed up voluntarily to enlist himself in the army and after ensuring his family was able to move out of Ukraine, the former Tennis pro returned to pick up arms.
Dolgopolov has been very active on social media handles to keep speaking about the atrocities the Russian army is committing and is requesting the audience to help Ukraine in every way possible so that the war comes to an end which has been going on for nearly 6 months now. Being a tennis player himself, he has often cited his disappointment in the very little tennis authorities have done with respect to banning Russian and Belarusian players as only their national federations have been suspended and the player believes the punishment is not enough.
“No Russian will bully a silent supporter wearing a Ukraine flag,”: Alexandr Dolgopolov
At the ongoing 2022 Cincinnati Open, during a qualifying round match between Russian players Anna Kalinskaya and Anastasia Potapova made the news after a local fan in the stands draped in a Ukrainian flag, later identified as Lola, was asked to leave the stands by the security officials and later threatened with police action. The tournament later covered up the incident citing that the flag that Lola was carrying was more than the allowed size of 18X18 inches and as a result, she was asked to leave her seat.
Tennis authority was quite upset over the incident as Lola was not removed until one of the two players complained about her presence and attire. With the issue getting quite viral, Dolgopolov also got to know about it and he expressed his frustration through a series of tweets from his Twitter handle.
“To all the people who admired my tennis and planning to visit the US tournaments, I ask to bring a Ukraine flag to all Russian or Belarusian matches they watch. And I dare the @atptour @WTA to try this step again. Repost please,” wrote Alexandr. “Our country is drowning in blood and barbaric violence, no Russian will bully a silent supporter wearing a Ukraine flag! Have some respect. P.s- keep the flags in the policy requirement, so they have no “fairy tale” reason to ask you to leave,” added the Ukrainian in a series of tweets later.
With the WTA Tour not commenting on the incident, Dolgopolov’s request and remark on WTA to stop other fans from carrying the flags could instigate and over the next week in Cincinnati, many fans with Ukrainian flags could be seen at the tournament.
Stay Updated!
Sarthak Shitole
(3462 Articles Published)