Why World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka plays under ‘blue flag’ at Australian Open 2025

There is one staple missing from world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka’s introduction to the court at the Australian Open – and it is the same reason she has a “blue flag”.

World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka has spoken about how she feels being banned from playing under her country’s name or flag at the Australian Open.

It is the third 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.

The players are not introduced as being from Russia or Belarus before matches like those from other countries, and a blue space is used in place of their country’s flag on the broadcast. In 2023, it was a white space.

Players from Russia and Belarus have ‘blue flags’ instead of the flag of their country Picture: Nine

Sabalenka, a Belarusian who won the Australian Open women’s singles title in 2023 and 2024, acknowledged it was out of her control at a post-match press conference on Wednesday.

However, while “it is how it is”, Sabalenka said she wished she could represent her country.

“I was always proud to represent Belarus in terms of it’s a small country and I made it from very small country. It’s not like I was practising in the States or in Spain,” she said.

“I felt like I was kind of an inspiration for the next generation. I was kind of motivating people from there, like tennis athletes.”

She added: “If they’re going to bring it [Belarus flag] back, I’m going to be happy. If not, it’s OK.”

Aryna Sabalenka spoke about not being able to represent her country at a post-match press conference on Wednesday. Picture: Australian Open / YouTube

When Sabalenka won the 2023 and 2024 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).

News.com.au has contacted Tennis Australia for comment on how long the ban will be in place.

Sabalenka after winning the 2024 Australian Open. Picture: Michael Klein

Tennis Australia also introduced a blanket ban on Russian and Belarusian flags in Melbourne Park in 2023, 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 last year.

“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.”

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.”