Political brawl at the Australian Open. Flags and manifestos of the semi-finalist from Russia

On Tuesday, Khachanov advanced to the semi-finals of the Australian Open, beating American Sebastian Korda. At 7:6 (7-5), 6:3, 3:0, the Russian’s opponent resigned from the game due to injury. In this way, the 20th player in the ATP ranking repeated the greatest achievement in a Grand Slam. The 26-year-old also reached the semi-finals at the 2022 US Open. In Melbourne, this achievement can be improved even further. In the semi-finals, he will face the better of Stefanos Tsitsipas (No. 4 in the ATP ranking) and Jiri Leheck (71.).

However, not only because of great sporting achievements, Khachanov caused interest in the world. Although, as an official Russian tennis player, he is not allowed to play in the Australian Open in national colors and with the name of the country next to his name, national colors and flags appear at his matches all the time and without any reaction from the organizers.

Khachanov supports Nagorno-Karabakh

It was the same with Korda in the quarterfinals.

However, this is not about Russian flags, but about the national colors of the internationally unrecognized Arcach. In other words, Nagorno-Karabakh – a region that has always been a disputed territory between Armenia and Azerbaijan. Ever since, that is, since both of these countries gained independent existence. First, shortly after World War I, before the incorporation of both countries into the USSR, and then from 1991, when the so-called The country of the Soviets has fallen. Currently, in this war, Azerbaijan, supported by Turkey, and ruled by Armenians, gained the upper hand, Arcach was actually cut off from the world. The only road connecting Nagorno-Karabakh with Armenia was blocked by “environmental activists” from Azerbaijan demanding an end to the “robbery” exploitation of Karabakh gold, copper and molybdenum deposits. The lockdown has been in place since December 12, and the 120,000 inhabitants of Arcach find themselves in an increasingly difficult situation. The Russian troops, who were supposed to ensure the permeability of the connection between Armenia and the Karabakh enclave, did not take any action to restore communication.

And it is precisely the fate of Arcachu that lies at the heart of Khachanov. In the third round of the Australian Open, after defeating American Frances Tiafoe, the Russian wrote on the camera: “Arcach, be strong”. In the fourth round, when he defeated the Japanese Yoshihito Nishioka 6-0, 6-0, 7-6, his message was even clearer: “Believe until the very end. Arcach, hold on!”

Russian by birth, Armenian at heart

Of course, journalists at the press conference were wondering what these words meant. – Despite the fact that I was born in Russia, I always remind you that my roots are Armenian. It breaks my heart to see what is happening in the country I love so much. Innocent people and even children die, said after the match with Nishioka Khachanov, who was born in Moscow, but his father Abgar is Armenian.

Few people paid attention to it, but the tennis player’s words are a powerful political manifesto. Before the war, Arcach was within the borders of Azerbaijan. However, according to Khachanov, Nagorno-Karabakh and Armenia are one country.

Khachanov’s political manifestos caused fury in Azerbaijan. The tennis association from this country filed protests with both the International Tennis Federation and the organizers of the Australian Open. “Writing heartfelt wishes on the camera lens is a kind of tennis tradition, but Khachanov abused it for his dirty plans,” the Azeris wrote in a statement and demanded Khachanov’s punishment. They also demand preventive measures to prevent similar antics from the tennis player in the future.

After the quarter-final, Khachanov wrote on the camera: “Don’t forget your roots.”