Novak Djokovic's father filmed with Putin's supporters: here is the VIDEO
by LORENZO CIOTTI | VIEW 2578
At Melbourne Park, the war launched by Russia against the Ukraine has entered with lead feet and it seems that it does not want to leave. The story arose above all in the match between Novak Djokovic and Andrey Rublev, when a spectator stood out for wearing a shirt with the Z, Russia's ultra-nationalist war symbol.
That same spectator has returned as a co-protagonist in a new case: the one that Novak Djokovic's father sees as the main character. Srdjan Djokovic was filmed with the man waving the flag with Putin's face during the quarter-final.
In the video, the father of the Serbian champion can be seen taking a photo with this person, still wearing the offending shirt and with the offending flag. The video is also accompanied by a sentence: "Novak Djokovic's father makes a bold political statement," reports Italian news agency Ansa on the matter.
Novak Djokovic's father filmed with Putin's supporters: here is the VIDEO
That political statement was reported by the Italian newspaper Il Messaggero; according to the newspaper, the father would have declared: "Long live the Russians." But it is not the only episode of the day attributable to Russia and the conflict taking place in Ukraine.
In fact, in a video posted by Tumaini Carayol on Twitter, the presence of a group of Serbian supporters was made public who brought and showed several Russian flags (in addition to those of their own nation), one in particular with Vladimir Putin's face on it.
Fans also chanted a cryptic chant: "Serbia, Russia." After the Russian flag was flown on day one of the Australian Open, the tournament banned them, reiterating its position in a press release following the incident during the quarter-final.
During the match between Novak Djokovic and Andrey Rublev at the Australian Open, valid for a place in the semifinals, a spectator stood out for wearing a shirt with the Z, Russia's ultra-nationalist war symbol.This is…quite a mess for the #AusOpen, to say the least.
Srdjan Djokovic posing with the pro-Putin rally last night just outside Rod Laver Arena.
The levels of security breakdowns that allowed for this are staggering.
Story/video via @jamesgraysport:https://t.co/L4gtaKKNP6 pic.twitter.com/qnOx3MGYqB — Ben Rothenberg (@BenRothenberg) January 26, 2023
The fan, who had initially accessed the Rod Laver Arena wearing a white T-shirt with Nole's name and basketball star Nikola Jokic's name written on it, approached his idol at the end of the game, also asking for an autograph .
There are several photos taken and gone viral on the web of the person in question, who has made himself well known for this behavior. After the Russian flag was flown on the first day of the Australian Open, the tournament banned them.
During the match in question, however, the banner was publicly displayed on the pitch.
We are now waiting to understand if the organizers of the competition will want to react to these behaviors of the servant fans who have come to Australia for the 35-year-old native of Belgrade.
Our initial policy was that fans could wear them but not use them to cause disruption. "We have had an incident where a flag was placed on the sidelines. The ban is effective immediately. We will continue to work with players and our fans to ensure the best possible environment for enjoying tennis," the tournament said after few days after the start.