(VIDEO) Roland Garros security removes Russian flag during Mirra Andreeva’s victory
WTASunday, 07 June 2026 at 08:30
A Russian flag displayed in the stands was removed by security immediately after Mirra Andreeva’s victory in the Roland Garros final, briefly disrupting the trophy ceremony on Court Philippe-Chatrier. The incident occurred moments after the 19-year-old secured the title in straight sets, in a match that confirmed her position among the established elite on the WTA Tour.
Andreeva’s win meant her first Grand Slam title, defeating Chwalińska in the final (6-3, 6-2) and becoming the first Russian player to lift the trophy since Maria Sharapova back in 2014. This time, however, Andreeva did so competing without a flag due to sanctions related to the war in Ukraine.
While the Russian and Belarusian flags remain banned in WTA competitions, a person in the crowd displayed the Russian flag during Andreeva’s post-match celebrations. Officials moved into the stands and removed it in line with Roland Garros regulations, which prohibit Russian national symbols inside the venue.
The episode took place under the neutrality framework applied to Russian and Belarusian players, who continue to compete on the tour without national flags or anthems during official events and ceremonies.
Security enforces neutrality after flag incident in stands
Security intervention was immediate after the Russian flag appeared in the stands during Andreeva’s trophy ceremony. The flag was visible only briefly before staff enforced tournament regulations banning national symbols linked to Russia.
Officials entered the section of the crowd where the flag was displayed and removed it from the spectators involved. The situation was contained quickly, with no escalation or disruption to the continuation of the ceremony.
“As Andreeva celebrated her win, a pair of fans inside Chatrier whipped out and waved a Russian flag to celebrate Andreeva’s country,” reported journalist Ben Rothenberg on social media. “A Roland Garros security guard quickly swooped in and had them put it away in the guy’s purse.”
As Andreeva celebrated her win, a pair of fans inside Chatrier whipped out and waved a Russian flag to celebrate Andreeva’s country.
— Ben Rothenberg (@BenRothenberg) June 6, 2026
A #RolandGarros security guard quickly swooped in and had them put it away in the guy’s purse. pic.twitter.com/UfzI0h3m1Y
"I don’t really think about that when I play"
Following her victory, Andreeva addressed the broader context surrounding her participation under neutrality rules, emphasizing that her focus during competition remains strictly on tennis performance and match execution.
“Of course I think every person doesn’t want to have a war in the world,” the 19-year-old player said in a press conference later. “What I can say is that when I play tennis, the only thing I think about is how to play and how to win."
"How to compete well. How to just win matches. And I don’t really think about that when I play because I have so many things in my mind that I try to focus on. I never think about those things when I play.”
Fans display Russian flag to celebrate 19-year-old Mirra Andreeva's tennis victory;
— XSNReport (@xsnreport) June 6, 2026
security quickly intervenes, making the couple hide it. pic.twitter.com/vvwb0AWlsD
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