Novak Djokovic has admitted he was “hurt” by the absence of his father on the Australian Open closing on Sunday evening.
The Serbian famous person and his staff determined that it might be greatest for Srdjan Djokovic to not be courtside at Rod Laver Arena following an argument over a Russian flag which threatened to overshadow Djokovic’s marketing campaign for a tenth Australian Open title.
Srdjan Djokovic was due to this fact watching from exterior the stadium as his son defeated Stefanos Tsitsipas in straight units 6-3 7-6 7-6.
A seat subsequent to Djokovic’s mom, often occupied by Srdjan, was empty as Djokovic received a record-equalling twenty second Grand Slam title.
“We both agreed that it would probably be better that he’s not there,” Djokovic stated after successful a tenth Australian Open title.
“That hurts him and me a lot because these are special, unique moments that who knows if they are repeated again.
“It was not easy for him. I saw him after the match and he was not feeling his best, let’s say.
“He was happy to hug me, but I could see he was a bit sad.”
“In the end we have a happy ending,” the 35-year-old Djokovic added.
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Djokovic stated his dad advised him he didn’t need to be a distraction within the Australian Open closing, regardless of being cleared by event director Craig Tiley to take his seat within the stands.
“I think in the end also what he told me is that it’s important that I feel good on the court, I win the match, and he’s here for me,” Djokovic stated.
“If it’s going to be better for me as the outcome of the match so that he’s not in the box, then so be it.
“That was the whole conversation. In a way I’m also sad that he was not there, present, in the stands. But he was throughout the entire tournament, so it’s fine.”
Srdjan additionally determined to overlook the semi-finals after he confronted calls, led by Ukraine, to be banned from the Grand Slam at Melbourne Park.
A video posted to a pro-Russian YouTube account on Thursday confirmed him posing with a person holding a Russian flag with President Vladimir Putin’s face on it.
The video was captioned: “Novak Djokovic’s father makes bold political statement.”
Djokovic subsequently defended his father, saying there had been a “misinterpretation” of the pictures and no hurt was meant.
“It was unfortunate that the misinterpretation of what happened yesterday has escalated to such a high level,” he stated.
“As my father put in a statement – we’re against the war – we will never support any violence or any war.
“We know how devastating that is for the family, for the people, in any family that is going through the war.
“He was passing through and make a photo. It’s not his fault he went out to celebrate with my fans.
“I heard what he said in the video: he said, ‘cheers’.
“He was misused.”
Ukraine’s ambassador to Australia, Vasyl Myroshnychenko, had referred to as for Srdjan Djokovic to be stripped of his stadium go.
– With AFP
Source: www.news.com.au
