Russian tennis star drapes fan in Ukrainian flag kicked out by Cincinnati Open security
A Cincinnati Open fan with a Ukrainian flag was forced out of a match when a Russian tennis player complained. The spectator in question was then forced to put the flag in her car or be expelled from the field following "aggressive" clashes with security agents, as she received threats to call the police.
>It has emerged that a Russian tennis star had a spectator removed from a Western & Southern Open qualifying match because he was draped in a Ukrainian flag. The fan in question - Lola - has been confronted by a WTA referee and Cincinnati tournament security twice.
In the first set of the All-Russian clash between Anna Kalinskaya and Anastasia Potapova on court 8, one of the players complained against Lola to the chair umpire. Lola also wore a Ukrainian flower crown known as a vinok and watched the game in silence, not disturbing.
Following the complaint, WTA referee Morgane Lara approached Lola and said it was "not nice" to have the flag in the stands, as the fan replied that it wasn't. was "not nice to invade a country". And things came to a head when one of the tournament security guards standing on the pitch got "aggressive" and threatened to call the police if she didn't leave the stands
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Other court spectators came to the fan's defense and cited freedom of speech, but Lola opted out of the stands, walking freely around the court with a friend from Ukraine. No more than half an hour later, she was questioned by the tournament security manager about the size of her flag, which exceeded the regulatory measures.
Lola was eventually escorted to her car by the security guard and made to leave the flag in her car before returning to the field.
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Express Sport has asked the Western & Southern Open for comment, which cited the flag rule in its response. "As per the Western & Southern Open bag policy, as stated on the tournament website, flags or banners larger than 18 x 18 are prohibited. As such, the woman has been invited to return her oversized flag to her vehicle,” a statement read.
Russian and Belarusian tennis players have been competing as neutrals without mentioning their country or flag since March 1, when the ATP, WTA and ITF issued a joint statement announcing the news to the following the invasion of Ukraine.
A Cincinnati Open fan with a Ukrainian flag was forced out of a match when a Russian tennis player complained. The spectator in question was then forced to put the flag in her car or be expelled from the field following "aggressive" clashes with security agents, as she received threats to call the police.
>It has emerged that a Russian tennis star had a spectator removed from a Western & Southern Open qualifying match because he was draped in a Ukrainian flag. The fan in question - Lola - has been confronted by a WTA referee and Cincinnati tournament security twice.
In the first set of the All-Russian clash between Anna Kalinskaya and Anastasia Potapova on court 8, one of the players complained against Lola to the chair umpire. Lola also wore a Ukrainian flower crown known as a vinok and watched the game in silence, not disturbing.
Following the complaint, WTA referee Morgane Lara approached Lola and said it was "not nice" to have the flag in the stands, as the fan replied that it wasn't. was "not nice to invade a country". And things came to a head when one of the tournament security guards standing on the pitch got "aggressive" and threatened to call the police if she didn't leave the stands
JUST IN: Rusedski lifts the lid on private conversation with Nadal's coach in Cincinnati
Other court spectators came to the fan's defense and cited freedom of speech, but Lola opted out of the stands, walking freely around the court with a friend from Ukraine. No more than half an hour later, she was questioned by the tournament security manager about the size of her flag, which exceeded the regulatory measures.
Lola was eventually escorted to her car by the security guard and made to leave the flag in her car before returning to the field.
NOT TO MISS
Kyrgios launches a scathing response after being called up for rival Djokovic. US Open petition flies away with Serbian to get 'soon' update. Raducanu provides update on new Russian coach as Tursunov returns
READ MORE Murray breaks the silence on a figure he has already mentioned for Ukraine
Express Sport has asked the Western & Southern Open for comment, which cited the flag rule in its response. "As per the Western & Southern Open bag policy, as stated on the tournament website, flags or banners larger than 18 x 18 are prohibited. As such, the woman has been invited to return her oversized flag to her vehicle,” a statement read.
Russian and Belarusian tennis players have been competing as neutrals without mentioning their country or flag since March 1, when the ATP, WTA and ITF issued a joint statement announcing the news to the following the invasion of Ukraine.
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