The dimensions of the Ukraine flag {that a} fan had draped round her throughout a match on the Cincinnati Open on Monday was the explanation she was requested to take away it from the grounds, event officers advised Reuters on Tuesday.
Throughout a qualifying match between Russian gamers Anna Kalinskaya and Anastasia Potapova on Sunday, one of many gamers reportedly complained to the WTA chair umpire Morgane Lara in regards to the fan, in keeping with stories.
Video of the incident posted on-line confirmed Lara come down from her chair to talk to the fan, who in the end left the court docket. She reportedly was approached on the grounds by the event’s head of safety, who advised her the flag was above regulation dimension.
Video of a few of this incident surfaced hours in a while social media, by way of @trashytennispic.twitter.com/bYlFL38L9X
— Ben Rothenberg (@BenRothenberg) August 15, 2022
“Per the Western & Southern Open’s bag policy, as stated on the tournament’s website, flags or banners larger than 18 x 18 are prohibited,” a spokesperson for the event mentioned in an electronic mail.
“Subsequently, the patron was requested to take away the flag from the grounds and after doing so was allowed to stay on the event.
“Any inquiries about the chair umpire should be directed to the WTA Tour.”
The WTA Tour didn’t reply to a request for remark.
Russia invaded Ukraine on Feb. 24, calling it a “special military operation” aimed toward pre-emptively safeguarding its safety in opposition to NATO enlargement. Ukraine and the West accuse Moscow of waging an unprovoked imperial-style warfare of aggression.
In response, Wimbledon banned Russian and Belarussian tennis gamers from the grass court docket main this yr.
The U.S. Open, which begins on Aug. 29, will enable gamers from these international locations to compete and can host a tournament-long marketing campaign to boost consciousness and humanitarian support for Ukraine with a objective of elevating $2 million in aid, the USA Tennis Affiliation (USTA) mentioned final week.
