Opposition Leader Peter Dutton and Victorian Shadow Sports Minister Sam Groth have condemned the actions of Novak Djokovic’s father, who was caught up in a pro-Russian flag furore.
Images emerged of Srdan Dokovic dad posing alongside a person with a flag bearing Russian president Vladimir Putin’s face, in an obvious breach of Melbourne Park guidelines.
He was filmed showing to say “long live the Russians” in Serbian as a gaggle of followers waved banned Russian flags and chanted pro-Russian slogans on the steps of Rod Laver Arena after Djokovic’s Wednesday evening win over Russian Andrey Rublev.
Dutton mentioned it was a “bizarre act”.
“The Russian onslaught continues, and frankly everybody of goodwill should be trying to deter, not encourage Putin,” he instructed Nine.
“It’s a bizarre act – sometimes you see these (things) from tennis parents and others over the years, but it’s an issue for Tennis Australia.”
Groth mentioned the behaviours have been “unacceptable”.
“Acts of incitement have no place in our state and no place at our major events,” he mentioned.
“The Australian Open must be a welcoming, safe and inclusive event for all, not an opportunity to express a harmful and offensive agenda or deliberately intimidate others.
“Melbourne and Victoria are on the world’s stage and our reputation as a major events capital is on the line.
“It isn’t good enough for the state government to avoid responsibility and buck pass to others.
“This situation has gone on for too long and the State Government and event organisers must explain what actions they are taking to put an end to these unacceptable behaviours.”
It comes as 11 Ukrainian civilians have been killed and practically a dozen extra have been injured within the wake of a lethal Russian missile assault in a single day.
The assault got here in response to the announcement the United States and Germany would ship tanks to the besieged nation.
CHANNEL 9’S AWKWARD SEMI-FINAL PROMO GAFFE
Channel 9 … you had one job!
The Australian Open’s host broadcaster threw to a community promotion throughout the seesawing first set of the Elena Rybakina-Victoria Azarenka semi-final on Thursday evening.
Nine was, in fact, plugging the boys’s semi-final double-header on Friday.
There was just one downside – the video games they marketed received’t be taking place.
The gamers have been proper however the match-ups have been horribly, horribly flawed.
“Crowd favourite Tsitsipas takes on American Tommy Paul,” the voice over learn.
“Plus, he’s breaking all the records. Novak Djokovic faces Kachanov in a semi-final epic.”
Umm … nope.
Tsitsipas faces Kachanov in a semi-final epic and the bloke breaking all of the information, Novak Djokovic, takes on American Tommy Paul.
You’d assume with 4 gamers and three video games remaining within the males’s match you’d get that one proper. Oops.
SNUB WHICH SHOWS DJOKER-PAUL HATRED IS REAL
– Scott Gullan, Liam Healy and Julian Linden
Tommy Paul has by no means performed Novak Djokovic in a match earlier than, nonetheless that doesn’t imply the American hasn’t had a run-in with the Serbian nice.
While Djokovic’s psychological toughness on court docket and in recreation could also be his best energy, will a sure second from the 2022 Laver Cup be sufficient for the American to be in his head?
After defeating Frances Tiafoe, Djokovic approached the USA bench to shake the crew’s palms.
One opponent didn’t shake the 9 time Aus Open champion’s hand.
In a clumsy second, Paul turned his again, avoiding the Serbian.
So have the 2 been ready for a second reminiscent of this ever since?
Paul caught a glimpse of a scoreboard as he was on his method to his press convention on Wednesday evening and wasn‘t surprised.
His potential semi-final opponent, Novak Djokovic, was already having his way with Andrey Rublev on Rod Laver Arena.
Two hours earlier he’d produced his greatest profession end result on that court docket, defeating fellow American Ben Shelton to e book a spot within the closing 4 at a grand slam for the primary time.
“I think I saw Novak 5-1 in the first or something,” Paul mentioned. “That‘s probably who I want to play. I mean, probably have a better chance of winning if it’s Rublev, but to play Novak here in Australia would be awesome.”
And there it’s. The psychological maintain Djokovic has over the remainder of the sphere in a nutshell.
Paul, 25, was simply being a realist. The world No. 35 has by no means performed the nine-time Australian Open champion earlier than which provides to the factor of intrigue.
“I saw him in the locker room after I finished my match and he said, ‘Congrats’,” Paul mentioned. ”I believe we have now practised earlier than. I imply, I’m certain we practised earlier than however we’ve by no means performed a match towards one another.
“Obviously he‘s pretty comfortable here in Australia. It’s going to be a challenging match. But I’m playing some of my best tennis, so it’s a good time.”
Djokovic has been on this scenario many instances, an up-and-comer with nothing to lose on their first journey to the ultimate 4. Most appear to soften in these circumstances however there may be the odd one who can play with freedom.
“He‘s been around for a few years, I watched him play quite a bit, especially during this tournament,” Djokovic said. ”He’s been enjoying most likely the tennis of his life.
“A very explosive, very dynamic player. Quick, very solid backhand. Likes to step in, dictate the point with the forehand. Great, great service motion.
“I think he can hit all the spots with the serve. Very complete player. He‘s got the coach (Brad Stine) that has been around with some top players for many years.
“First semi-finals for him, so of course he doesn‘t have much to lose. I’m sure he’s going to go out trying to play his best tennis.”
The dangerous news for Paul is that based on Rublev, who had confronted Djokovic thrice beforehand earlier than the quarter-final, the 21-time grand slam champion goes higher this yr.
“Out of three times that we played before, today he played much better compare our previous meetings,” Rublev mentioned. ”Today, for my part, he was enjoying a lot better. That‘s it. I don’t know what else to say.”
Former Australian Open champion and main commentator Jim Courier says his countryman must try to exploit Djokovic‘s injury concerns.
Even though the Serbian hasn‘t showed too many issues with his hamstring in his last two matches, Courier believes it is something Paul has to focus on.
“He‘s a heavy, heavy favourite, there is no doubt that is the case,” Courier said. ”But there’s nonetheless the strapping on the leg that’s hovering. He has performed unbelievably nicely, ruthlessly environment friendly in his final two matches towards high quality opposition, however you’re just one step away from bother if in case you have the hamstring challenge.
“That is what Tommy Paul has to sell himself, to tell himself. Novak, when he is normal, he hits the back end and he slides the open stance on the open side but he is turning around so as not to put pressure on the left leg.
“That is not normal. That tells me he is protecting a problem there so it‘s tougher for him to defend in the backhand corner. He (Paul) will need to use that and get Novak to do something awkward.”
All aboard the Tsitsipas magic carpet journey
Greek tennis star Stefanos Tsitsipas is again on his magic carpet and taking everybody alongside for the journey.
Now, he simply wants to verify he doesn’t fall off this time.
The adopted favorite son of Melbourne‘s large Mediterranean community, Tsitipas is just one win away from reaching his first Australian Open final.
He’s so shut he can really feel the joy and is already speaking up his possibilities.
“It‘s a match that I’m looking forward to. It’s great to be back in the semi-finals,” he mentioned.
“Of course, I‘m definitely happy with the way I’ve been playing so far. I’m looking ahead for more, for better. Looking to create some magical experiences here in Australia.”
All the omens look good for Tsitsipas this time as he prepares for his semi-final opponent, Russia’s Karen Khachanov on Friday.
The pair have performed one another 5 instances earlier than with Tsitsipas successful every time however he nonetheless isn’t taking something as a right as a result of that is the primary time they’ve squared off in a best-of-five units match on the Australian Open.
Ranked fourth on this planet, Tsitsipas has extra expertise on Melbourne’s hardcourts than his Russian rival, however he’s additionally bombed out in his earlier three Australian Open semis, in 2019, 2021 and 2022 so has been working as a lot on getting his head proper as his physique.
“I‘m a different player, playing differently. My mentality is different,” he mentioned.
“When I‘m out on the court, I don’t really think of negatives, to be honest. I just go out there and play the game. It’s clearly mindset. Nothing more. I think it’s absolutely that.
“I feel great. I‘ve been playing some good tennis. The thing that I talked about with the mindset, it’s also the perspective that you get to see things from.”
Still solely 24, Tsitsipas has all of the bodily attributes to be a grand slam champion however questions stay about his psychological toughness after he imploded throughout his bitter showdown with Nick Kyrgios at Wimbledon final yr.
Tsitsipas has been on his greatest behaviour since returning to Australia however is aware of the largest exams are nonetheless to come back when the stakes and strain get ramped up
Khachanov is not any shrinking violet.
A semi-finalist ultimately yr’s US Open, he is likely one of the most improved gamers within the recreation and has a status as a giant-killer after beating Kyrgios in New York.
He’s needed to cope with lots of different points in Melbourne – together with being heckled over his nationality despite the fact that he’s competed as a ‘neutral’ so is battle-hardened and prepared for something.
“It‘s all the details,” he mentioned. “All the small things that you put together in order to kind of do those steps forward and to, yeah, to keep achieving those goals which are set.
“Making the semi-finals at the US Open gave me an extra boost and extra confidence to show where I really am and what I can do when I‘m at my best and how I can be more consistent.
“All those things together, they’ve pushed me to where I am right now.”
Being a Russian on the Australian Open this yr is tough sufficient due to Vladimir Putin’s trooping wage conflict in Ukraine, so Khachanov is aware of he received’t be widespread if he manages to defeat Tsitsipas.
But he’s used to that too, as a result of he’s been knocking out the gang favourites ever since he stepped foot in Melbourne Park, along with his victims together with Aussie hopeful Jason Kubler, American showman Frances Tiafoe and Sebastian Korda, the son of the 1998 Aussie Open champ Petr.
Originally revealed as Australian Open Day 12 dwell scores: Men’s semi-finals
Source: www.news.com.au
