Novak Djokovic’s father poses with a Russian flag emblazoned with Putin’s face as a supporter shouts: ‘Long stay Russia!’ in surprising footage from the Australian Open
Novak Djokovic’s father has been warned about his future behaviour after inflicting outrage on the Australian Open by posing with a Russian flag that had Vladimir Putin’s face on it.
Tournament officers have been pressured to problem a press release after a video emerged on a pro-Russia YouTube channel displaying the reckless actions of the Serbian star’s controversial guardian.
Soon after Djokovic reached the semi-finals on Thursday evening his father mingled with followers declaring their help for Russia, with police and Tennis Australia confirming that 4 spectators have been evicted from Melbourne Park.
Novak Djokovic’s father Srdan is seen in footage with a Russian flag on the Australian Open
Tennis celebrity Novak Djokovic (left) with father Srdan. After watching his son’s quarter-final win on the Australian Open he was seen posing with a Russian flag featuring Vladimir Putin’s face
Australian Open entry laws expressly forbid any flags in help of Russia or Belarus.
A video posted on YouTube reveals Srdan posing alongside the flag and a sympathiser who shouts ‘Long Live Russia!’.
Djokovic Senior is proven being warmly greeted by his son’s followers and he seems to say one thing supportive earlier than transferring on.
Srdan was significantly outspoken final 12 months when his son was deported after being detained as a results of not being vaccinated, accusing the Australian state of making an attempt to ‘assassinate’ his celebrity offspring.
The participant himself has desperately tried to keep away from controversy since arriving in Australia to give attention to his title efforts as he prepares to fulfill American Tommy Paul within the semi-final on Friday.
Unwittingly or not, on Wednesday he might be seen signing one thing for a person who had earlier been sporting a ‘Z’ T-shirt – Z having turn out to be the makeshift brand of the Russian invaders of Ukraine.
A fan on the Australian Open was seen sporting Russia’s ultra-nationalist ‘Z’ conflict image
This led embarrassed Tennis Australia to problem a common warning at a match the place gamers from the aggressor nations are nonetheless left in.
‘A small group of individuals displayed inappropriate flags and symbols and threatened safety guards following a match on Wednesday evening and have been evicted,’ it learn.
‘One patron is now aiding police with unrelated issues. Players and their groups have been briefed and reminded of the occasion coverage relating to flags and symbols and to keep away from any scenario that has the potential to disrupt.
‘We proceed to work intently with occasion safety and regulation enforcement businesses,’ learn the assertion.
Srdan Djokovic and spouse Dijana watch Novak throughout his quarter-final win over Andrey Rublev on Wednesday
Entirely individually on a pure tennis stage, there was hypothesis about how critical is a hamstring harm that he has been carrying whereas progressing by way of the match.
A faction of Serbian followers at Melbourne Park have been eager to reveal their kinship for Russia, regardless of the huge human value of the Ukraine invasion on each side.
A gaggle of followers chanted ‘Russia, Serbia’ in a reminder of the 2 international locations’ shut cultural ties
Attempts to cease them public displaying help for Putin on the tennis haven’t been profitable, judging by Wednesday evening.
Ukrainian ambassador Vasyl Myroshnychenko expressed his disgust at their behaviour at present.
‘It’s a full bundle. Among the Serbian flags there is a Russian flag, Putin, Z-symbol, so referred to as Donetsk People Republic flag. It’s such a shame,’ he advised the Herald Sun.
