The Abu Dhabi Open has apologised to Russian world number 11 Daria Kasatkina for an administrative mistake that listed her as a player from Spain at the tournament's draw ceremony on Sunday and sparked speculation that she had switched her nationality.

The Spanish flag was incorrectly attached to Daria Kasatkina's name during the Abu Dhabi main draw ceremony, which prompted the Russian tennis player's management to strongly deny that she was switching to representing Spain because it could possibly cause her problems back home.

Russia's Daria Kasatkina's management say a flag error could have "strong implications" for the player after she was wrongly listed as representing Spain at a WTA Tour draw ceremony - leading to suggestions she had switched allegiance.

The Abu Dhabi Open, which begins on Monday, has apologized to Daria Kasatkina, a Russian who is ranked No. 11 in the world, for an administrative mistake that listed her as a player from Spain at the tournament's draw ceremony on Sunday.

The 'administrative error' sparked speculation that she had switched her nationality. Read more at straitstimes.com.

The Abu Dhabi Open apologises to Russian world number 11 Daria Kasatkina for an administrative mistake that listed her as a player from Spain at the tournament's draw ceremony.