Novak Djokovic’s father posed with a Russian nationalist keeping a flag with Vladimir Putin’s deal with and donning a controversial Z T-shirt at the Australian Open up. The Ukrainian ambassador has now condemned scenes he branded a “disgrace” at Melbourne Park on Wednesday wherever Serbian and Russian enthusiasts were being seen chanting together and holdings flags.
Players from Russia and Belarusia are allowed to compete listed here under a neutral flag but national symbols are forbidden adhering to the invasion of Ukraine.
Now shocking photos have appeared on social media – from a user calling himself Aussie Cossack – showing Srdjan Djokovic, the father of the nine-time Australian Open up winner, with the Russian enthusiasts. They surface to say: “Long Reside Russia”.
The Djokovic household is by no means considerably from controversy and the No.4 seed was yet again heckled during his quarter-last earn around Andrey Rublev on Wednesday night time. He will future enjoy – and discuss – in his semi-remaining in opposition to American Tommy Paul on Friday.
Srdjan Djokovic appeared to be declaring: “Lengthy reside Russian citizens”.
Previous Ukrainian pro Alex Dolgopolov, who is now preventing in the war in his homeland, tweeted: “This person will get banned for lifestyle, at the very least for all Australian gatherings, right? @AustralianOpen”.
Ukrainian ambassador Vasyl Myroshnychenko experienced now criticised Russian admirers just after the very first working day right here when a team of adult males attending the very first round match concerning Ukrainian Kateryna Baindl and Russian Kamilla Rakhimova showed a Russian flag. He then identified as on Tennis Australia to enforce their “neutral flag” policy.
Condemning the newest screen, he explained: “It’s a whole bundle. Among the Serbian flags, there is a Russian flag, Putin, Z-symbol or chanting professional-Russian music. It is this sort of a shame.”
Russian Karen Khachanov will participate in Greece’s Stefanos Tsitsipas in the other men’s semi-ultimate on Friday.
Law enforcement Victoria reported: “Police spoke to four males soon after a Russian flag was created on the ways at the tennis about 10.20pm on Wednesday 25 January. All four adult males ended up evicted.”
Srdjan Djokovic is no stranger to controversy.
As a press convention subsequent his son’s deportation from Australia previous January, he reported: “The try to assassinate the most effective athlete in the planet has finished. 50 bullets in Novak’s chest.”
The Z-symbol t-shirts and flags are now currently being noticed a lot more commonly as a strategy of aid for the present Russian regime and the war in opposition to Ukraine.
Russian forces often use the letter ‘Z’ as an determining symbol on their automobiles in Ukraine, allowing soldiers to distinguish by themselves from other forces, and it has due to the fact been used as an intimidation tactic against people who oppose the war.
Safety ended up caught on digicam talking to the supporter, although he was seemingly permitted to stay in his seat right until Djokovic’s 3-established win was sealed more than Moscow-born Rublev.
Footage shot from outside the house Rod Laver Arena confirmed a group of lovers celebrating with Russian flags on show, along with people today putting on ‘Z’ t-shirts and pro-Putin displays.
Multiple Aussie Open spectators have since been questioned by Victoria Law enforcement right after allegedly threatening protection guards next the quarter-last involving Rublev and Djokovic.