NOVAK DJOKOVIC’s father posed next to a Russian nationalist a flag with Vladimir Putin’s face on an embarrassing day at the Australian Open.
Moments after watching his son advance to the semifinals with a two-set victory over Russian Andrey Rublev, Srdjan Djokovic waved through the enthusiasts as he walked out of Rod Laver Arena.
Players from Russia and Belarus can participate in tennis tournaments under an impartial flag, but national symbols are banned due to the ongoing invasion of Ukraine that began in February 2022.
Now a three-minute, 44-second YouTube video has surfaced alleging that Srdjan, the father of the nine-time Australian Open champion, made a “bold political statement. “
In the clip, posted through a user calling himself Aussie Cossack, a bearded man with a ponytail proudly holds the Russian flag with the symbol of the despised despot before shouting, “Our brothers in Moscow. “
It is alleged through the cameramen that as he walks away, Srdjan says, “Long to the Russians!”
It is not known whether Srdjan saw the front of the flag when he stopped and Serbian bloodhounds at the scene at Melbourne Park say he never said those words, muttering “applause” as he left.
The same fan, wearing a T-shirt with the arguably pro-Putin Z, is then seen on the steps of the site’s largest field.
The propaganda cuts it off with an organization of enthusiasts shouting “Russia, Russia, Russia,” “Glory to Russia” and “For the brother of the Russian Empire. “
They also chanted “Putin, we love you” before the workers’ security forces intervened.
In a statement, Srdjan said: “I’m just here for my son. It was not intended to provoke such headlines or interruptions. “
“I went out with Novak enthusiasts like I did after all my son’s games to celebrate his victories and play with them. I didn’t intend to get caught up in that. “
“My circle of relatives has lived through the horror of war and we just need peace.
“So there is no interruption of the semi-final for my son or for the player, I chose to watch from home.
“I want a match and I will cheer on my son, as always. “
“Australian Cossack” Simeon Boikov is a pro-Putin Australian YouTuber who has sought safe haven in the Russian consulate in Sydney for a month now.
He is due to appear in court on Wednesday for assaulting a 76-year-old man at a pro-Ukraine rally.
The scenes passed on Wednesday night had already been condemned as an “embarrassment” by a senior diplomat in Canberra, the Australian capital.
Vasyl Myroshnychenko, Ukraine’s ambassador to Australia and New Zealand, tweeted: “This is a complete package.
“Among the Serbian flags there is: a Russian flag, Putin, Z, the so-called flag of the Donetsk People’s Republic. It’s a pity. “
During the attack, which Djokovic comfortably won 6-1, 6-2, 6-4, a fan got stuck in the stands with the Z logo on the front of his black jersey.
Former Ukrainian Alex Dolgopolov, who is now fighting in the war in his homeland, saw the photo and tweeted: “This guy will be suspended for life, at least for all Australian events, isn’t it?@Open of Australia. “
Reacting to a video from the Russian fan organisation on Wednesday night, a spokesman for Tennis Australia said: “Four other people in the crowd leaving the stadium revealed alongside flags and dot symbols and threatened security guards.
“Victoria Police have responded and continue to be with them.
“Comfort and protection is our priority and we work heavily with security and authorities. “
Victoria Police later added: “Police spoke to 4 men after a Russian flag appeared on the tennis steps at around 10:20pm. M. del Wednesday, January 25. All 4 men were deported. “
It’s only been 12 months since Djokovic, who is not vaccinated against Covid, was deported from Australia following an immigration dispute.
Srdjan told a news conference in Belgrade after his son was evicted from Melbourne in January 2022: “The assassination attempt on the world’s most productive athlete is over.
“50 bullets in Novak’s chest. “
This is not the first time the Russian tricolor has been seen in the first Slam of 2023 when security personnel consider it a prohibited item.
One individual waved the questionable flag of Ukraine’s Kateryna Baindl’s three-set victory over Russia’s Kamilla Rakhimova on Court 14.
Another deployed at the time of the night’s clash on Rod Laver Arena between Muscovite Daniil Medvedev and American Marcos Giron.
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