Jan 12, 2025; Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Yuliia Starodubtseva of Ukraine plays a forehand during her match against Leylah Fernandez of Canada in the first round of the women's singles at the 2025 Australian Open at Melbourne Park. Mandatory Credit: Mike Frey-Imagn Images
MELBOURNE (Reuters) - There was one solitary Ukrainian flag on display in the stands at the Australian Open when Yuliia Starodubtseva, the first of six women from the war-torn country playing singles this year, faced Leylah Fernandez on Sunday.
It was quite a contrast to two years ago at Melbourne Park -- the first Australian Open after the Russian invasion -- when the flag was ubiquitous among the crowds even when Ukrainians were not playing, and many players wore blue and yellow colours.
