Explained: The strange detail about how world No.1 Aryna Sabalenka is being shown on TV during the Australian Open
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Aryna Sabalenka commenced her title defence at the Australian Open this week - and fans have noticed a strange detail about the way she's been presented on broadcasts of the grand slam. Sabalenka has started her quest for a third consecutive title in Melbourne with a commanding victory over Sloane Stephens in the first round and a second-set comeback to defeat Jessica Bouzas Maneiro in her next match.
![[Russian and Belarusian flags are banned from the Grand Slam due to the war in Ukraine]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/16/04/94152445-14290597-Russian_and_Belarusian_flags_are_banned_from_the_Grand_Slam-a-29_1737003523947.jpg)
However, the flag of Belarus has been noticeably missing from the graphic next to her name, instead replaced with a simple blue rectangle. It's the third year that the Grand Slam has ruled that Russian and Belarusian players can't play under their nation's flag because of the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war.
![[The tennis star says she hopes to compete under her flag again someday]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/16/04/94152503-14290597-The_tennis_stars_says_she_hopes_to_compete_under_her_flag_again_-a-30_1737003524891.jpg)
Previously, the tournament's neutral flag was white, but since 2024 it has been blue in colour. 'Players from Russia and Belarus are only able to compete in international tennis events as individuals – and without flags or country recognition – which will be the case for Australian Open 2023,' Tennis Australia said before the 2023 event.
Belarusian powerhouse Aryna Sabalenka competes under a 'blue flag' at the Australian Open. Russian and Belarusian flags are banned from the Grand Slam due to the war in Ukraine. 'Tennis Australia stands united with the international governing bodies of tennis - the grand slams, the ATP and WTA Tours and the ITF - in its condemnation of Russia's actions and its unprovoked invasion of Ukraine.'.
