Several players at Australian Open 2025 have been competing without a national flag, with world No. 2 Aryna Sabalenka included.
The Jugo Mobile explains where the reigning consecutive Australian Open champion is from and why she doesn’t have a flag next to her name.
Where is Aryna Sabalenka from?
Sabalenka, 25, was born in Belarus’ capital Minsk and has previously played under the Belarusian flag at international events.
Along with others from Belarus and Russia, Sabalenka is not permitted to compete under the Belarusian flag at the Australian Open. Here’s why:
Why are tennis players competing under a white flag or with no flag?
For the fourth year in a row, the Australian Open has said that while there will be no restrictions on Russian and Belarusian tennis players competing, they will be unable to compete under the flag or name of their countries, including on their clothes and via the broadcast.
“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 via a statement before the 2023 event.
“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.”
Along with Sabalenka, several other big names in the tournament such as Daniil Medvedev and Andrey Rublev are also competing under no national flag.
Aryna Sabalenka ranking
Sabalenka is currently ranked world No. 1 and is seeded first for Australian Open 2025.
