Novak Djokovic’s father Srdjan says he’ll watch his son’s semi-final from off website after a video emerged displaying him posing on the Australian Open with followers holding Russian flags.
“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,” he mentioned in an emailed assertion on Friday.
Ukraine’s ambassador to Australia, Vasyl Myroshnychenko, had referred to as for Djokovic’s father to be banned from the Open for posing with supporters of Russian president Vladimir Putin exterior Melbourne Park on Wednesday evening.
A gaggle of followers, together with a person holding a Russian flag with Putin’s face on it, had gathered on stairs exterior the grand slam advanced.
In a video posted to YouTube on Thursday, Srdjan Djokovic was filmed with the pro-Russian spectators, briefly chatting with the digicam in Serbian earlier than strolling off.
“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,” Tennis Australia (TA) mentioned in its personal assertion on Friday.
“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 an announcement confirming that he is not going to 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 decision for peace and an finish to battle and violent battle in Ukraine.”
Djokovic’s father stressed he was only in Melbourne to support his nine-times Open-winning son.
“I had no intention of inflicting such headlines or disruption,” Djokovic senior said in the statement.
“I used to be exterior with Novak’s followers as I’ve achieved in spite of everything of my son’s matches to have a good time his wins and take photos with them. I had no intention of being caught up on this.
“My family has lived through the horror of war, and we wish only for peace.
“I want for an incredible match and I can be cheering for my son, as all the time.”
The incident came after Tennis Australia banned spectators from carrying and displaying Russian and Belarusian banners in Melbourne Park on the second day of the tournament.
Myroshnychenko said TA should ban Srdjan Djokovic for “such a shame”.
Djokovic performs American Tommy Paul on Friday evening for a berth in a file tenth last at Melbourne Park.
TA additionally issued an announcement on Thursday that didn’t immediately handle Srdjan Djokovic’s actions.
“A small group of people displayed inappropriate flags and symbols and threatened security guards following a match on Wednesday night and were evicted,” it learn.
“One patron is now assisting police with unrelated matters.
“Players and their groups have been briefed and reminded of the occasion coverage relating to flags and symbols and to keep away from any scenario that has the potential to disrupt.”
Past and present Russian flags, the Russian Eagle banner, Belarusian flags, and items of clothing with the Z symbol are prohibited items at Melbourne Park.
TA had initially permitted spectators to bring Russian and Belarusian banners to Melbourne Park, as long as they did not cause disruption, but the policy was quickly reversed.
That rule has been flouted on multiple occasions but Wednesday night’s incident was the most blatant.
Russian and Belarusian gamers, together with girls’s finalist Aryna Sabalenka, had been allowed to compete in Melbourne however solely below a impartial banner.
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
