No Union Jack for Britain's Slovenian recruit

Aljaz Bedene lost on his Grand Slam debut as a British player Monday and admitted he will not be tempted into making brash demonstrations of his new-found loyalties.

The 25-year-old became a British citizen in March after completing the required five-year residency in the country.

But unlike Greg Rusedski, who switched to play for Great Britain from his native Canada in the 1990s, he will not be reaching for the Union Jack headbands any time soon.

"Well, I was wearing Union Jack bandanas back in 2012 and '13, but only in practice," he said.

"I felt good with them, but I didn't want to wear them in matches. I mean, I'm having adidas sponsors, so they don't make them."

The Ljubljana native, ranked at 75 in the world, went down 6-3, 6-4, 6-7 (6/8), 6-3 to Austria's world number 31 Dominic Thiem at Roland Garros on Monday.

He will now switch to grass courts with Wimbledon fast approaching next month where the British public will get their first proper view of the country's number two player.

However, he revealed that he will be preparing for the All England Club by snubbing the opportunity to play at Queen's Club, one of the traditional build-up events for most home players.

Instead, he is playing a low-key tour competition in Nottingham and an exhibition in Liverpool.

"I would have to start in qualifying at Queen's. I love Queen's. I was always feel welcome there. I think it's one of the best tournaments in the world," said Bedene, who wasn't granted a wildcard for the prestigious event as priority is given to Davis Cup players.

"But I think with playing four matches in the Liverpool exhibition I can get more matches on grass.

"I think this will help to develop my game on grass."

Bedene wasn't the only player on show at Roland Garros on Monday who was playing under a new flag.

Croatian-born Ajla Tomljanovic and Russia's Daria Gavrilova fared better by making the second round of the women's singles representing Australia.

Tomljanovic, who made the last 16 in 2014, defeated fellow Australian Casey Dellacqua 6-2, 6-2.

Gavrilova also made it through by seeing off Sweden's Johanna Larsson 6-1, 7-6 (7/3).

Both Tomljanovic and Gavrilova are in the process of applying for Australian citizenship so they can play for their adopted countries.

However, they still feature for their native countries on the main tour as the WTA only recognises the new allegiances once the full paperwork has been completed.
Source: AFP