Footage has emerged exhibiting Novak Djokovic’s father at a pro-Russian demonstration on the Australian Open on Wednesday.
A bunch gathered on the steps outdoors Rod Laver Arena following Djokovic’s quarter-final victory over Russian Andrey Rublev holding Russian flags, one in every of which bore the face of Vladimir Putin, and chanting “Serbia, Russia.”
And a submit on a pro-Russian YouTube channel reveals Srdjan Djokovic standing with a person holding the Putin flag and carrying a T-shirt with the pro-war Z image on it.
Djokovic Sr then makes a remark to the person, which is translated on the video as “long live the Russians.”
Tennis Australia stated on Wednesday that 4 folks had been questioned by police and evicted from the location over “inappropriate flags and symbols” and threatening safety guards.
A brand new assertion on Thursday stated one of many quartet was “now assisting police with unrelated matters” and added that gamers and their groups have been reminded of match coverage.
Russian and Belarusian flags have been banned for the rest of the occasion final week after a flag was displayed at a match between Russian and Ukrainian gamers.
The assertion learn: “Players and their teams have been briefed and reminded of the event policy regarding flags and symbols and to avoid any situation that has the potential to disrupt. We continue to work closely with event security and law enforcement agencies.”
Djokovic’s representatives have been approached for remark.
