After the incident with pro-Russian spectators, tennis star Novak Djokovic’s father spoke up. He regrets the negative headlines and draws consequences. Words of regret are not enough for the Ukrainian ambassador to Australia. He demands clear words, also from the tennis star.
Novak Djokovic’s father has expressed his regret over the incident involving a pro-Russian crowd during the Australian Open and decided against attending his son’s semi-final match. “I’m here to support my son. I had no intention of causing such headlines or disruption,” said Srdjan Djokovic, according to a statement for media outlets including Australian newspaper The Age.
“So that the semi-finals tonight are not disturbed either for my son or for the other player, I decided to watch it at home,” said the father of the Serbian tennis star, who wants to make the final in the duel against the American Tommy Paul .
A video of Srdjan Djokovic posing with others behind a Russian flag with a portrait of Russian President Vladimir Putin in Melbourne Park caused a stir on Thursday. Next to him is a man wearing a T-shirt emblazoned with the “Z” sign, believed to be a symbol of support for Russia, including the invasion of Ukraine. The video was published on a YouTube channel and is said to have been taken after Djokovic’s quarter-final win over Russia’s Andrei Rublev on Wednesday.
“I had no intention of getting involved in this,” Srdjan Djokovic said of the incident. He just wanted to celebrate with the fans and take pictures. He stressed that he would “only wish for peace” since his family had also experienced “the horrors of war”.
“He should have his accreditation revoked,” Ukrainian Ambassador to Australia Vasyl Myroshnychenko told AFP. He also asked Novak Djokovic to clarify his position on the Russian invasion: “He should apologize for what happened and condemn the Russian invasion of Ukraine.” After the incident, the organizers of the Australian Open had again pointed out to the players and their teams that certain flags and symbols were banned.