Tennis Australia points warning to Novak Djokovic’s father for posing with pro-Putin demonstrators
Novak Djokovic acquired a warning from Tennis Australia on Thursday after his father Srdjan was seen on video collaborating in an illustration supporting Russian president Vladimir Putin, according to The Telegraph.
The governing physique in control of the continuing Australian Open reportedly warned Novak Djokovic, who’s Serbian, and his household to not promote any extra political causes.
Within the video, Srdjan will be seen standing with the ringleader of the demonstration whereas holding up a Russian flag with Putin’s face printed on it. He’s translated within the video as saying “Lengthy reside the Russians,” whereas the ringleader sends messages of assist to a pro-Putin Moscow biker gang and Russian presences within the conflict in Ukraine.
Quickly after the video was posted, Tennis Australia issued a statement reminding gamers to keep away from any conditions with “the potential to disrupt:”
A small group of individuals displayed inappropriate flags and symbols and threatened safety guards following a match on Wednesday evening and have been evicted. One patron is now helping police with unrelated issues.
Gamers and their groups have been briefed and reminded of the occasion coverage concerning flags and symbols and to keep away from any scenario that has the potential to disrupt. We proceed to work carefully with occasion safety and legislation enforcement businesses.
The video was posted after Djokovic’s straight-sets win over Russia’s Andrey Rublev.
This isn’t the primary time Djokovic has offered a headache for Tennis Australia, because the 21-time Grand Slam champion was famously booted from the nation final yr over his refusal to get vaccinated for COVID-19 and an error in his paperwork.
This time, it’s Djokovic’s father who could be very publicly expressing assist for a conflict instigated by Russia that has killed hundreds of Ukrainian civilians and lots of extra Ukrainian and Russian troopers. The conflict, which Russia initially hoped to be a fast victory, has seen a number of important setbacks for Putin because the Ukrainians have held agency and acquired important assist from allies within the West.
Djokovic himself, nonetheless, was said to have sent a message of support to a former Ukrainian player after Russia launched its invasion. He additionally spoke out against Wimbledon banning Russian and Belarusian players last year.
Srdjan stated that he is not going to be attending the Australian Open semifinals on Friday as a way to keep away from disruption. “I’m right here to assist my son solely,” Srdjan stated in a press release. “I had no intention of inflicting such headlines or disruption.”