Russian-Armenian tennis star, Karen Khachanov has explained his decision to write post-match messages in support of Nagorno Karabakh (Artsakh) on cameras at the Australian Open.

The player made it to the Australian Open Quarter Finals on Saturday, January 21 and once again wrote a message of solidarity on the Channel 9 camera.

"Keep believing all the way until the end! Artsakh Stay Strong," he wrote.

After the match, Khachanov said that he honors and appreciates his roots.

"I am a citizen of Russia, I represent Russia, but on my father's and mother's side I have Armenian blood. I wanted to somehow support and give them faith and strength," the player said.

Since December 12, the sole road connecting Nagorno Karabakh to Armenia - the Lachin Corridor - has been blocked by self-described Azerbaijani environmentalists. Karabakh residents have reported food and fuel shortages, while hospital patients don't have access to essential medicines, with only a handful allowed transfer to facilities in Armenia proper.