Sabalenka's Fans Cause Controversy In Miami After Waving Banned Belarusian Flags
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The 2025 Miami Open women's final contained a controversial moment when Aryna Sabalenka's supporters waved banned Belarusian flags.
Sabalenka extended her points lead as the WTA world No. 1 by beating Jessica Pegula in the Miami final. The first set was competitive before the three-time Grand Slam champion ran away with it in the second.
Although Pegula received much support as the home favorite, Sabalenka also had vocal backing from sections of the crowd. None were louder than a group of Belarusian supporters in the front row.
After Sabalenka won a point to retrieve an early break and level the opening set at 3-3, the fans in the front row took to their feet and waved three Belarusian flags to celebrate their hero levelling the score.
The problem for them is that Belarusian flags are prohibited at ATP and WTA tournaments because of the country's government's active support for Russia's illegal invasion of Ukraine, launched in February 2022.
That is why Russian and Belarusian players compete under neutral banners. Sabalenka is one of several players to be impacted by this move, with 2025 Indian Wells Open champion Mirra Andreeva being among the others.
Security at the Miami Open wasted no time. They immediately confronted the three individuals who had waved the flags and told them not to do that again, but the trio were not kicked out.
The fans immediately complied with the security instructions and did not raise the flags again. They still offered significant support throughout the match and let Sabalenka know they were fully behind her.
Fans not being allowed to wave Russian and Belarusian flags is a sensitive topic, especially since they have been prohibited from doing so for over three years because of how lengthy the Ukraine war has been.
However, the irritation of those who cannot wave the flags is nothing compared to the anguish experienced by Ukrainians who have had to endure their homeland being invaded in an illegal and unjustified manner.
Many Ukrainian players, including Marta Kostyuk and Elina Svitolina, have criticized governing bodies for not doing more. Kostyuk has called for Russian and Belarusian athletes to be banned while the war remains ongoing.
Such a decision would cause a significant stir, especially since the WTA Tour would lose its world No. 1 and teenage prodigy Andreeva. Sabalenka believes politics and sport should never mix under any circumstances.
Daria Kasatkina was among the most prominent Russian players who supported Ukraine. For instance, she never took offence when Ukrainians refused to shake her hand after matches, something all the country's players do to show their anger about Russia's invasion.
Kasatkina recently announced that she now represents Australia instead of Russia. The move was also influenced by Kasatkina being homosexual, something that is more widely accepted in Melbourne, in particular, than in Russia.
Svitolina has praised Kasatkina in the past for showing bravery in her comments about the Ukraine war. It is unclear whether Ukrainians will now shake her hand after matches since she does not officially represent Russia anymore.
