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Novak Djokovik His father Srijan said that he had “no intention” of supporting any “war initiative” after being filmed with a group of Russian supporters In Australian Open.
Djokovic defeated Tommy Paul of America in straight sets on Friday to reach the final of the 10th Australian Open. Prior to the match, tournament organizers said they had “briefed and reminded” the players and their teammates about their “policy regarding flags and symbols”.
On Wednesday, video emerged of Djokovic’s father with a group of supporters holding a Russian flag and displaying a “Z” symbol, which is seen as a sign of support for Russia and its invasion of Ukraine.
The symbol has been seen on Russian equipment and clothing in Ukraine.
Djokovic said he would not be in the stands to watch his son’s semi-final, saying he was in Melbourne “only to support his son” and that “it was not his intention to create any such headlines or disruption”. Wasn’t the intention.”
After his win against Paul on Friday, Djokovic said: “My father, my whole family and I went through many battles during the 90s.
“As my father made a statement, we are against war, we will never support any violence or any war. is destructive.
Growing up in Belgrade, Djokovic as a child Survived through NATO’s 78-day bombing campaign in 1999Its purpose was to end the atrocities committed against the ethnic Albanians in the province of Kosovo by the troops of the then President of Yugoslavia, Slobodan Milosevic.
Djokovic said that his father, as has happened throughout the Australian Open, went to meet the fans, many of whom were displaying Serbian flags, to thank them for their support after their Australian Open quarterfinal loss.
Djokovic said, ‘The photo he made was passing by.’ “I heard what he said in the video. He said, ‘Cheers.’ Unfortunately, some media have actually misinterpreted that.
“I’m sorry it escalated so much. But I hope people understand there was never any intention to support any kind of war initiative or anything like that.
“My father… thought he was posing for a photo with someone from Serbia. That’s it. He went ahead.
Asked whether his father would return to the stadium for Sunday’s final against Stefanos Tsitsipas, Djokovic said he would wait and see.
“Of course, it was not pleasant again not to have him in the box [on Friday], ” he said. “It’s a decision we made together. I didn’t know how things would go, I guess.
“I hope he is. I hope he feels good on the court because I would like to have him out there for the final.”
The presence of Russian flags and symbols at the Australian Open has been a source of controversy throughout the tournament.
In the first week, organizers banned spectators from displaying Russian and Belarusian flags, and on Wednesday, they said four people Was evicted from Melbourne park for displaying pro-war imagery.
Several Ukrainians, including current player Marta Kostyuk and former player Alexander Dolgopolov, have spoken out against the presence of the Russian flag and “Z” symbols at the tournament.
On court, Djokovic has been in great form over the past two weeks and is a favorite to beat Tsitsipas in the men’s singles final.
If he does so, he will win his 10th Australian Open title and 22nd Grand Slam title, tying him with Rafael Nadal at the top of the men’s all-time list.