Ukraine’s ambassador to Australia urged tennis officials on Friday to bar Novak Djokovic’s father from competing in the Australian Open after he was caught on camera posing with fans waving Russian flags.
“He should have his accreditation revoked. It is up to Novak and his team to address and resolve this “AFP quoted Ambassador Vasyl Myroshnychenko as saying.
Myroshnychenko also demanded that Djokovic, who is set to face Tommy Paul in the tournament’s semi-finals, personally apologize and clarify his position on the Russian invasion.
“Novak must deal with this matter immediately, he said.
He ought to express regret and denounce Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
On Thursday, a video posted to a pro-Russian Australian YouTube account showed Djokovic’s father Srdjan posing with a man holding a Russian flag with Vladimir Putin’s face on it.
“Novak Djokovic’s father makes strong political remark,” the video’s description read.
It was Djokovic’s father, Serbian tennis reporters said, and the Melbourne Age newspaper reported he said in Serbian, “Long live Russia.”
A second man wearing a T-shirt with the “Z” symbol for pro-war was captured by AFP inside the stadium during Djokovic’s match.
Without specifically addressing the incident with Djokovic’s father, tournament organizer Tennis Australia said on Thursday that it would keep working with security to enforce admission regulations.
