Several players at Australian Open 2025 have been competing without a national flag, with world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka included.
Rights groups, activists and independent media in Russia and Belarus endured increased government scrutiny, repressive laws and even were shut down and forced to operate from exile abroad.
The Sporting News explains where the reigning consecutive Australian Open champion is from and why she doesn't have a flag next to her name. Sabalenka, 26, was born in Belarus' capital Minsk and ...