Controversy erupts as Russia flag prominently displayed despite WTA ban, fans forced to remove it after tennis officials intervene at Chennai Open

Day 5 at the 2025 Chennai Open was marked by a huge controversy after tournament officials forced a couple of fans to remove the Russia flag they put on display. The incident happened because it is currently against the WTA rules to display Russia and Belarus flags during matches, with the ruling having come into effect following the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

On Friday, Russia's Polina Iatchenko took on Thailand's Lanlana Tararudee in the quarterfinals, played as the fourth and final match of the day on Center Court. During the clash, a Russian flag was hung on to the railings by fans right in front of the match camera. The flag was seen at the stadium even before, but only during Iatchenko's battle was it moved to the front of the stands.

Midway through the first set, officials caught wind of the development, and approached the fans to take it down. Initially, the fans did not agree with the demand, and were engaged in an argument with the officials. After a good 10-15 minutes, however, the flag was removed, and the fans moved back a few rows.

Neither Iatchenko nor Tararudee paid any heed to what was happening around the stadium, and action continued without any interruption. After winning the opening set 6-0, Tararudee won the next 6-2 to book her spot in the semifinals on Saturday.

It should be noted that till date, Russian and Belarusian tennis players, in both the ATP and the WTA, do not have their national flags displayed next to their name in match graphics. Moreover, Ukrainian players also do not shake hands with players from the aforementioned countries, sticking to the stance they took after the start of the war.

Russia and Belarus flags have also been officially banned at various tournaments since then. In 2023, Wimbledon made the controversial decision to suspend Russian and Belarusian players from participating at the tournament, drawing mixed reactions from the tennis world.

Ukrainian tennis player Elina Svitolina wanted Russian and Belarusian players banned from Olympics

Spain v Ukraine - Billie Jean King Cup By Gainbridge Finals 2025 - Source: Getty

At the 2024 Paris Olympics, tennis players from Russia and Belarus were allowed to play, albeit under the neutral flag. Ukraine tennis star Elina Svitolina, however, did not agree, and wanted them banned from the tournament altogether.

“The behavior of Russia has been against what the Olympics and the Olympic movement is about, and this alone should exclude them from the Games. How is it fair that they compete when they have put Ukrainian Olympic athletes at a huge disadvantage?"

"Our athletes have been going to the front, to protect us and our way of life rather than train and prepare for the Olympics," she said in an interview with The Times.

Right now, the WTA World No. 1, Aryna Sabalenka, does not play with a flag next to her name, as the Belarus flag is banned by the tennis bodies.