Anti-Israel protesters disrupt a tennis match between Israeli Lina Glushko and four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka in the first round of the ASB Tennis Classic in Auckland. A small group of protesters outside the venue can be easily heard both inside and on television during the event. A doubles match on Grandstand Court was temporarily halted because of the loud noise. She is on the hunt for her maiden tour-level singles title.
Naomi Osaka started her 2025 season 6-4, 6-4. Glushko’s parents are originally from Ukraine but relocated to Israel before her birth. She, like many others in her country, served in the Israel Defence Forces (IDF). The confrontation between Israel and Gaza has been ongoing for almost a year, with no end in sight. Glushko has been an outspoken supporter of her nation, constantly posting about it on social media.
Both groups involved in the conflict have faced criticism for their behaviour. Protesters chanted anti-nationalist slogans outside the ASB Classic due to her nationality. The play was only interrupted for a few minutes at the end of the first set before resuming. Security had limited control over the protestors because they were not inside the venue. The protestors remained until the finish of the contest, but their chanting was not as loud as previously.
Anti-Israel Activism Takes Center Stage
Glushko struggled to deal with Osaka’s firepower, although not seeming to be influenced by the situation outside. Despite keeping up with her, she ultimately lost the match due to missed opportunities. Lina Glushko is following in the footsteps of her older sister Julia, who also played tennis. The latters’ most notable achievements included reaching the third round of the US Open in 2013 and the French Open in 2014.
The Glushko sisters occasionally played in pairs. Julia Glushko retired in 2019. In September, she played her final match in front of her hometown fans. She failed to get beyond the first round of singles and the quarterfinals in doubles. Tennis journalist Ben Rothenberg claimed on social media that protesters stopped play by shouting from outside the tournament grounds.
