Russian flags banned at Australian Open after display at Ukrainian match

Organisers initially decided spectators could bring Russian and Belarusian flags into the arena.

A Russian flag was displayed at the match between Kamilla Rakhimova of Russia and Kateryna Baindl of Ukraine (Asanka Brendon Ratnayake/AP)

Russian flags have been banned at the Australian Open after one was displayed at a match between Russian and Ukrainian players.

The display drew a sharp rebuke for organisers from the Ukrainian ambassador to Australia, and Tennis Australia has now announced that Russian and Belarusian flags will not be allowed at Melbourne Park for the rest of the tournament.