Russian-Armenian tennis star Karen Khachanov has thanked Armenian and Russian fans for sheering him in his games at the Australian Open.

Khachanov, who was defeated by Stefanos Tsitsipas on Friday, January 27, was cheered on by a number of fans waving Armenian flags following his public support for the breakaway region of Artsakh.

“I’m grateful for them to cheer, to support, to come over, ” said Khachanov. “And also Russian fans, they were not allowed to bring any flags, Belarusian as well, but I heard them. There were many Russians screaming and supporting me all the way.

“I’m just really happy to see everybody on that court and to give me love all the way until the end.”

During his wins against Frances Tiafoe and Yoshihito Nishioka, Khachanov signed the camera by writing “Stay strong, Artsakh”, referring to the blockade of Nagorno Karabakh, since mid-December. Khachanov’s father, Abgar, is from Armenia’s capital city, Yerevan.