Tennis: Controversy after images showing Djokovic’s father with pro-Russian supporters


SYDNEY, Jan 27 (Reuters) – The father of Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic, Srdjan Djokovic, on Friday regretted the controversy that erupted after footage emerged showing him alongside supporters waving Russian flags.
Australian authorities have questioned the four fans who displayed “inappropriate flags and symbols” after the Australian Open quarter-final match between Russian tennis player Andrei Rublev and Novak Djokovic.

“In order not to disturb the semi-final, for my son and for his competitor, I decided to watch the match from home,” Srdjan Djokovic said in a statement.

“I want to be very clear, Australia stands with the people of Ukraine,” Australian Prime Minister Antony Albanese told a news conference. “We don’t want to see any support for the Russian invasion of Ukraine, which is having a disastrous effect on Ukrainians.”

Novak Djokovic, who found himself at the heart of a media and diplomatic storm last year at the end of which he was expelled from Australia after arriving in the country without having been vaccinated against COVID-19, did not comment on the incident.

The Serbian tennis player’s spokesperson could not immediately be reached for comment.

Novak Djokovic is the favorite to win a tenth title at the Australian Open, which is currently taking place in Melbourne. (Report Alasdair Pal; French version Camille Raynaud)










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