AO issues Russia flag warning

Tennis Australia has beefed up entry rules after Serbian and Russian fans flew banned flags, wore pro-Russian ‘Z’ T-shirts and sang pro-Russian songs at Melbourne Park on Wednesday evening.

Security guards have been issued with new guidelines regarding bringing flags and national symbols into Melbourne Park with Russian Karen Khachanov facing Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece in the first men’s semi-final tomorrow.

Aussie Cossack, a grope and online site run by Putin supporter Simeon Boikov claimed today that Russian supporters had hit back at the banning of flags.

“The Russian empire has had its flag banned,” he said. “Well guess what Tennis Australia? Good luck when the empire strikes back.”

Ukraine’s ambassador to Australia, Vasyl Myroshnychenko, has called their actions a “disgrace”.

“It’s a full package. Among the Serbian flags, there is a Russian flag, Putin, Z-symbol or chanting pro-Russian songs,” he said.

A Tennis Australia statement said: “A small group of people displayed inappropriate flags and symbols and threatened security guards following a match on Wednesday night and were evicted. One patron is now assisting police with unrelated matters.

“Players and their teams have been briefed and reminded of the event policy regarding flags and symbols and to avoid any situation that has the potential to disrupt. We continue to work closely with event security and law enforcement agencies.”