Here is a controversy that Novak Djokovic would have done well when heading for the 22nd Grand Slam of his career, this weekend in Melbourne.

The father of the Serbian tennis player was indeed filmed in the company of supporters waving pro-Russian flags during the Australian Open.

These scenes were described as “shameful” by the Ukrainian ambassador in Canberra.

After Novak Djokovic's quarter-final win against Russia's Andrey Rublev on Wednesday, a group of supporters unfurled Russian flags, including one emblazoned with the face of President Vladimir Putin, near Melbourne's Rod Laver Arena, while chanting pro-Russian slogans.



The Australian Tennis Federation said four people "displayed inappropriate flags and symbols and threatened security guards" at Melbourne Park before being chased away by police.

A video later posted on an Australian pro-Russian YouTube channel showed Srdjan Djokovic, the player's father, posing with the man waving the flag with Putin's face.

All with the caption: "Novak Djokovic's father makes a bold political statement".

"Long Live Russia"

Serbian sports journalists have confirmed that it was indeed Djokovic father.

The Melbourne Age

newspaper

also indicated that he launched, in Serbian: "Long live Russia".

Spectators are banned from Russian or Belarusian flags during the tournament.

Ukraine's Ambassador to Australia and New Zealand, Vasyl Myroshnychenko, had demanded action be taken after several of these flags were seen in crowds last week.


It's a full package.

Among the Serbian flags, there is: a Russian flag, Putin, Z-symbol, so-called Donetsk People's Republic flag.

It's such a disgrace…@TennisAustralia @AustralianOpen https://t.co/wZoZontcEj

— Vasyl Myroshnychenko (@AmbVasyl) January 25, 2023

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“It's a complete catalog.

Among the Serbian flags, there are: a Russian flag, Putin, the symbol Z, the so-called flag of the People's Republic of Donetsk, this one was indignant on Twitter this Thursday, calling on the Australian Tennis Federation and tournament organizers.

It's really shameful.

Another spectator was pictured inside the stadium, during Novak Djokovic's game, wearing a T-shirt bearing the Z symbol, a pro-war symbol associated with support for Russia's invasion of Ukraine .

Since the beginning of the conflict, Russian and Belarusian tennis players generally participate in competitions under a neutral flag and as independents.

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  • Australian Open 2023

  • Sport

  • Novak Djokovic

  • Tennis

  • Russia

  • War in Ukraine