A journalist wanted to know from Novak Djokovic shortly before midnight Melbourne local time on Friday whether he had previously discussed with his father that he should generally be cautious given the large platform he has as a world athlete.

The questioner provided his question with the indication that such actions could well be seen as a reflection of how Djokovic and his family feel about the war.

This is exactly what the last two days had basically been about on the Australian Open facility.

How great is the influence of a world athlete that a family member moves into the sports political limelight and is used for a war of aggression against Ukraine.

"We are against the war"

On Thursday morning, a few hours after Djokovic's victory in the quarterfinals against Russia's Andrei Rublev, a video was circulated worldwide showing Srdjan Djokovic being photographed with Russian sympathizers and a flag with the likeness of President Vladimir Putin.

Djokovic confirmed what translators now mostly agree on: "In the video he said 'Cheers'.

Unfortunately, some media misinterpreted his statement. ”It was unfortunate, according to Djokovic, that the situation had escalated to such an extent as a result of the misinterpretation of what had happened.

"As my father made clear in his statement, we are against war and will never support violence." After each of his victories, his father walked through the crowd, thanked him and had photos taken.

Djokovic revealed that he had had lengthy discussions with his team, family and tournament officials at the Australian Tennis Association.

Incidentally, he had to prepare for his tenth semi-final at this tournament that he won 7:5, 6:1 and 6:2 against the American Tommy Paul.

"It escalated"

In the final on Sunday, the Serb meets the Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas.

For Djokovic, it's not just about winning the tenth title in Melbourne and the 22nd success in a Grand Slam tournament, with which he would catch up with Rafael Nadal.

The winner of the first highlight of the year will be listed as the new number one in the world rankings from Monday.

He will replace the recently injured Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz.

Back to the father who put Novak Djokovic in need of explanation.

"You're asking me the question like he did it on purpose, like he wasn't careful," the 35-year-old told the reporter.

“What happened to him can happen to many people.

He was passing, taking a picture.

It's escalated.

He was used in this situation by a group.” He couldn't be mad at him.

It wasn't his fault.

The footage with Djokovic's father was the culmination of some propaganda images that went around the world.

The Australian Tennis Association tightened controls at the entrances only after Wednesday's incidents, although a ban on Russian flags and symbols has been in place since the second day of the tournament.

Those responsible for the Wimbledon tournament are currently preparing their decision for this year's edition.

The hardliners in the middle of the organizing "All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club" have been able to gather arguments from the events in Australia not to change anything about the decision to exclude Russian and Belarusian players.

Many fans at the Melbourne tennis courts, as became clear on Friday, are not aware of these sports-political background battles.

The large number of people in Australia with roots in Serbia or Greece are looking forward to the Grand Slam final.

The two final opponents met at the French Open 2021.

Back then in Paris, the now 24-year-old Tsitsipas gambled away a 2-0 lead and, to everyone's surprise, had the smaller reserves of strength.

He no longer remembers the final, Tsitsipas explained after his four-set success over Karen Chatschanow.

“I no longer see negative things or negativity and am very optimistic.

I enjoy my tennis.

That was what was missing the whole time," said Tsitsipas.

The tournament statistics of saved breakballs serve as proof.

He leads with 83 percent (44 of 53 breakballs).

Stefanos Tsitsipas remains an outsider on Sunday.

Novak Djokovic initially hopes that "then only tennis will be talked about".