Fan at the Australian Open sparks outrage by uncovering Russia’s ultra-nationalist ‘Z’ war symbol on his shirt during Novak Djokovic’s match against Russian star Andrey Rublev – as others brandish a flag featuring Putin’s face
Tennis chiefs have been urged to act decisively after a spectator was seen wearing Russian’s ultra-nationalist ‘Z’ war symbol on his shirt 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’ brandished across the front at the Rod Laver Arena for Wednesday night’s match between Djokovic and Russian star Andrey Rublev.
The letter ‘Z’ has become a symbol of ultra-nationalist obeisance to Russian president Vladimir Putin as he wages his war on Ukraine. It has been seen sprayed in white on the side of Russian tanks as they have invaded their neighbouring country.
A fan at the Australian Open has been seen wearing an ultra-nationalist Russian war symbol
The spectator attended Novak Djokovic’s win over Russian star Andrey Rublev in Melbourne
A white ‘Z’ letter symbolises ultra-nationalist obeisance to Russian president Vladimir Putin
It has been seen painted on the side of tanks during Russia’s invasion of Ukraine
Items of clothing that showcase a white letter ‘Z’ is among a list of prohibited items at the Australian Open.
And Ukrainian tennis star Alex Dolgopolov has called for the spectator to be ‘banned for life’ after he removed a white T-shirt to display the war symbol in Melbourne.
‘This guy will get banned for life, at least for all Australian events, right? @AustralianOpen,’ he tweeted.
Outside the venue, footage emerged of fans waving flags plastered with Putin’s face, despite tournament organisers banning Russian Federation and Belarusian flags at the event.
The group were heard chanting 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 from this year’s Australian Open
The issue of Russian flags being brandished at the tournament first reared its head last week, when a rogue fan hung up 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 having already ruled that players from those countries must compete as neutral players ‘without flags or country recognition’.
In response Russia’s embassy accused Open organisers, Tennis Australia, of polticising the event.
The embassy expressed the hope that Tennis Australia would instead aim ‘to provide the best possible environment for the enjoyment of tennis’.
Fans brandished a flag with Putin’s face on it and chanted Russian war songs in Melbourne
Earlier, Ukrainian diplomat Mr Myroshnychenko took aim at the Open over a Russian flag being draped and clearly visible from an outside court during the match between Baindl and Rakhimova.
‘I strongly condemn the display of the Russian flag during the game of the Ukrainian tennis player Kateryna Baindl at the Australian Open today,’ Myroshnychenko wrote on Twitter.
‘I call on Tennis Australia to immediately enforce its ‘neutral flag’ policy.’
Mr Myroshnychenko earlier called for Russian and Belarusian players to be banned from the Open as they were from the last Wimbledon but Tennis Australia turned down the demand.
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