After a video of Novak Djokovic’s father, Srdjan, posing for pictures with fans holding Russian flags surfaced, the organizers of the Australian Open have issued a reminder to players and their entourages regarding their policy regarding “inappropriate flags.”
On Wednesday, footage of Novak Djokovic’s father participating in a pro-Russian demonstration at the Australian Open has surfaced.
Following Djokovic’s quarterfinal victory over Russian Andrey Rublev, a group gathered on the steps outside Rod Laver Arena waving Russian flags, one of which featured the face of Vladimir Putin, and chanting “Serbia, Russia.”
Srdjan Djokovic is also depicted in a post on a pro-Russian YouTube channel standing with a man who is waving the Putin flag and is wearing a T-shirt with the pro-war Z symbol on it.
Following that, Djokovic Sr. makes a comment to the man that is captioned “long live the Russians” in the video.
On Wednesday, Tennis Australia reported that four individuals had been questioned by the police and removed from the venue due to “inappropriate flags and symbols” and threats against security personnel.
Thursday’s new statement added that players and their teams have been reminded of tournament policy and that one of the quartet was “now assisting police with unrelated matters.”
Following the display of a flag during a match between Ukrainian and Russian players, the flags of Belarus and Russia were prohibited for the remainder of the event last week.
The caption read: The father of Novak Djokovic makes a bold political statement.”
“read the statement. The event policy regarding flags and symbols has been explained to players and teams, and they have been reminded to avoid any situation that could cause disruption. We continue to collaborate closely with law enforcement and event security agencies.”
The four individuals were expelled from the tournament for displaying “inappropriate flags and symbols and threatened security guards,” according to a Victoria police spokeswoman. They were kicked out of Melbourne Park after the police were called.
In a statement, Tennis Australia stated, “Players and their teams have been briefed and reminded of the event policy regarding flags and symbols and to avoid any situation that has the potential to disrupt.” We continue to collaborate closely with law enforcement and event security agencies.
After being carried into the stands by spectators the day before, Russian and Belarusian flags were banned from Melbourne Park on January 17, the second day of the Australian Open. At Melbourne Park, flags are typically permitted to be waved during games. Tennis Australia, however, changed its policy in response to the flags of the two nations involved in the invasion of Ukraine that began nearly a year ago.