What country are tennis players under blue flag at Australian Open 2024 from?

If this unusual sight on the Australian Open broadcast left you scratching your head, you may be interested to know there is a specific reason behind the decision.

Tennis fans watching the Australian Open on the TV this year may notice there is sometimes a blue space where the flag of a player’s country is usually displayed.

This is because it is the second year players from Russia and Belarus are only allowed to compete at Melbourne Park as neutral players and not under the name or flag of their country to condemn Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

During last year’s tournament, an empty white space was used next to their name on the graphics on the TV coverage, and this year it is the same blue as the background.

Russian tennis player and Women's World No. 13 Daria Kasatkina. Picture: Nine’s World Wide of Sports

Tennis Australia also introduced a blanket ban on Russian and Belarusian flags in Melbourne Park last year, after a Russian flag was displayed courtside during a match featuring a Ukrainian player.

“The AO has a long tradition of fans supporting players by flying their national flags, it brings colour and excitement to the event,” Tennis Australia told news.com.au in a statement.

“The Russian and Belarusian flags are banned, as per 2023 and the international agreement signed by the Federal Sports Minister and representatives of more than 30 countries around the world.”

Russian tennis player Mirra Andreeva. Picture: Nine’s World Wide of Sports

Flags of other competing nations can be displayed as long as they meet entry requirements, which include limits on size.

There is not a specific ban on Palestinian or Israeli flags, however, Tennis Australia said flags of nations not represented by players at the Australian Open are prohibited.

“Anyone carrying or displaying them will be asked to put them away or leave,” organisers told news.com.au.

“Anyone seeking to disrupt the event – or who is displaying material intended to disrupt, offend, vilify or that is political in nature – will be managed in line with the AO24 ticket terms and conditions and may be asked to put away the material, or leave.”

When Belarusian tennis star Aryna Sabalenka won the 2023 Australian Open, her name was engraved on the Daphne Akhurst Memorial trophy, but unlike previous champions’ names on the trophy, Sabalenka’s country was not written in brackets like it was for Ash Barty (AUS) or Naomi Osaka (JPN).