Three-time Australian Open men’s finalist Daniil Medvedev will play in Sunday’s singles decider against Jannik Sinner without a national flag next to his name.
Like others during the Melbourne Park tournament, Medvedev isn’t allowed to represent his country of birth.
The Sporting News explains why.
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Medvedev, 27, was born in Russia’s capital Moscow and has previously played under the Russian flag at international events.
Along with others from Belarus and Russia, Medvedev is not permitted to compete under the Russian flag at the Australian Open. Here’s why:
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For the third 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 last year’s 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 Medvedev, several other big names in the tournament such as Aryna Sabalenka and Andrey Rublev are also competing under no national flag.
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Medvedev is currently ranked world No. 3 and is seeded third for Australian Open 2024.
He has reached world no.1 before, in February 2022, after winning US Open 2021 and making the Australian Open 2022 final. This ranking only lasted three weeks until Novak Djokovic reclaimed it.
Medvedev has six Grand Slam finals to his name, winning one major (US Open 2021), falling short in four, with the Australian Open 2024 decider to come.
Of his four losing finals, two have come at the Australian Open (2021, 2022) and two at the US Open (2019, 2023).
