Novak Djokovic's father has insisted he was unwittingly caught up in a pro-Russian demonstration at the Australian Open but has decided not to attend his son's semi-final against Tommy Paul.
A video on a Russian activist's YouTube channel emerged on Thursday showing Srdjan Djokovic standing with a man holding a Russian flag with Vladimir Putin's face on it. The protestor was also wearing a t-shirt bearing the Z symbol that demonstrates support for the war in Ukraine.
Ukraine’s ambassador to Australia, Vasyl Myroshnychenko, reacted by calling for him to be banned from the first Grand Slam of the year. Former world No 13 Alex Dolgopolov, who reached the quarter finals in Melbourne in 2011 Australian Open, tweeted his disgust and accused Djokovic, 62, of openly praising "a genocidal regime."
In a statement released by the tennis star's representatives, Djokovic senior said: "I am here to support my son only. I had no intention of causing such headlines or disruption. I was outside with Novak's fans as I have done after all of my son's matches to celebrate his wins and take pictures with them. I had no intention of being caught up in this. My family has lived through the horror of war, and we wish only for peace."
However, he also revealed he would be staying away from the 21-time Grand Slam champion's final four clash on Friday morning: "So there is no disruption to tonight's semi-final for my son or for the other player, I have chosen to watch from home. I wish for a great match and I will be cheering for my son, as always," he said.
Srdjan Djokovic made no comment about a translation on the video that claims he said "long live Russia", but the remark has been translated by Serbian journalists as a simple goodbye. Djokovic's parents have travelled to Australia for the first time since his first title in 2008 to offer support to their son following his deportation last year. A number of Russia supporters gathered on the steps outside Rod Laver Arena following Djokovic's quarter-final victory over Russian Andrey Rublev.
Waving flags and chanting "Russia, Serbia", they were eventually tackled by security, with four people questioned by police over the flags and threatening security guards. It led for Myroshnychenko to call for sanctions. “It is up to Tennis Australia to take action," he said.
"I think it would be a very good idea not to let him (Djokovic) in. I don't know why he would say something like that considering what the Russians are doing in Ukraine, how many people they have killed, tortured, raped and all the summary executions that have happened against civilians."
Tennis Australia also issued a statement. It read: "After the events of Wednesday night, we acted swiftly to work with police and our security teams to have the instigators of the protest removed from the venue. Throughout the event we’ve spoken with players and their teams about the importance of not engaging in any activity that causes distress or disruption.
"Mr Srdjan Djokovic has issued a statement confirming that he will not attend tonight’s semi final. We will continue to strive for the safety of fans at the event and reiterate our position banning flags from Belarus and Russia. Tennis Australia stands with the call for peace and an end to war and violent conflict in Ukraine."
