Karen Khachanov wrote: “Don’t forget your roots” on a TV camera in support of “my people” after reaching his first Australian Open semi-final.
The world No.18, who was banned from Wimbledon, is not allowed to play here under a Russian flag following the invasion of Ukraine.
But the Olympic silver medallist is half Armenian and has used his run to bring attention to tension in the disputed region of Artsakh - or Nagorno Karabakh - which is an Armenian enclave in Azerbaijan. Armenia claims the area has been blockaded by Azerbaijan since December 12.
