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Australian Open fan sparks outrage as Russia’s ultranationalist war symbol ‘Z’ is spotted on his jersey during Novak Djokovic’s match against Russian star Andrey Rublev, while others brandish a flag with Putin’s face on it
Tennis bosses have been urged to act decisively after a spectator was seen wearing the Russian ultra-nationalist war symbol ‘Z’ on his jersey during Novak Djokovic’s quarter-final at the Australian Open.
Eagle-eyed fans on Twitter spotted a man wearing a black T-shirt with a large ‘Z’ on the front at Rod Laver Arena for Wednesday night’s match between Djokovic and Russian star Andrey Rublev.
The letter ‘Z’ has become a symbol of ultranationalist reverence for Russian President Vladimir Putin as he wages his war against Ukraine. It has been seen sprayed in white on the side of Russian tanks when they invaded their neighboring country.
A fan has been seen at the Australian Open wearing an ultra-nationalist Russian war symbol
The spectator attended Novak Djokovic’s victory over Russian star Andrey Rublev in Melbourne
A white letter ‘Z’ symbolizes ultranationalist reverence for Russian President Vladimir Putin
It has been seen painted on the side of tanks during the Russian invasion of the Ukraine.
Articles of clothing displaying a white letter ‘Z’ are among a list of prohibited items at the Australian Open.
And Ukrainian tennis star Alex Dolgopolov has called for the viewer to be “banned for life” after he removed a white T-shirt to display the war symbol in Melbourne.
‘This guy is going to be banned for life, at least for all Australian events, right? @AustralianOpen,’ he tweeted.
Outside the venue, images emerged of fans waving flags with Putin’s face plastered on them, despite tournament organizers banning the flags of the Russian Federation and Belarus at the event.
The group was heard singing songs in support of Russia, according to bystanders.
Ukrainian tennis star Alex Dolgopolov has called for the fan to be banned for life
The ‘Z’ symbol is among a number of items banned at this year’s Australian Open.
The issue of Russian flags being flown at the tournament first came up last week, when a rogue fan hung a Russian flag during a match between Ukraine’s Kateryna Baindl and Russia’s Kamilla Rakhimova.
Tennis Australia responded to the incident by immediately banning the display of Russian and Belarusian flags, as players from those countries must compete as neutral players “with no flags or country recognition”.
In response, the Russian embassy accused the Open organizers, Tennis Australia, of politicizing the event.
The embassy expressed the hope that Tennis Australia would aim to “provide the best possible environment in which to enjoy tennis.”
Fans brandished a flag with Putin’s face on it and sang Russian war songs in Melbourne.
Earlier, Ukrainian diplomat Mr. Myroshnychenko targeted the Open for a Russian flag that was draped and clearly visible from an outdoor court during the match between Baindl and Rakhimova.
“I strongly condemn the display of the Russian flag during Ukrainian tennis player Kateryna Baindl’s match at the Australian Open today,” Myroshnychenko wrote on Twitter.
“I call on Tennis Australia to immediately enforce its ‘neutral flag’ policy.”
Mr. Myroshnychenko previously called for Russian and Belarusian players to be excluded from the Open as they were at the last Wimbledon, but Tennis Australia rejected the demand.