Google News Azerbaijani government calls for Karen Khachanov's disqualification
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Karen Khachanov ended up in the eye of the storm for writing messages of encouragement on camera towards the Republic of Artsakh after every match played at the Australian Open 2023: now his situation his hard in Melbourne.
The Russian tennis player has never hidden his true origins and in a recent interview he explained: "Artsakh, hold on. Don't lose faith and be strong. I have repeated on many occasions that I have Armenian roots. From my father, my grandfather and my mother. To be honest, I consider myself half Armenian."
Khachanov, the political case breaks out at the Australian Open
The case that broke out in Melbourne has deep political roots.
For several months, in fact, the thirty-year hostilities between Armenia and Azerbaijan have resumed in the territory of Nagorno-Karabakh; territory that the two countries contend for. The conflict, which specifically began in 1991, resumed after two years of peace.
The Azerbaijani government has accused Armenian forces of moving weapons and troops to the border area for a new conflict; while Armenia has excluded this possibility by speaking of a simple exercise.
Azerbaijani government calls for Karen Khachanov's disqualification
Threats and tones have escalated with the blockade of the Berdzor Corridor, the only road linking Artsakh with Armenia and the outside world, ordered by Azerbaijan.
Khachanov's words sparked a reaction from the Azerbaijan Tennis Federation and the Azerbaijani government, which even called for Khachanov's disqualification at the Australian Open and heavy sanctions directly from the top management of the ITF.
The Russian tennis player will face Stefanos Tsitsipas
The Russian tennis player will face Stefanos Tsitsipas in the semifinals in a very harsh climate. Khachanov reached the semifinals of a Grand Slam tournament for the second time in his career and went to the penultimate act of a Major for the first time in the last Slam of 2022 at the US Open, when he lost to Casper Ruud in four sets. The Greek will be, at least on paper, the favourite.