Ukraine Seeks The Australian Open To Ban Djokovic’s Father From Competing.

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
WhatsApp

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 filmed 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 correspondent Vasyl Myroshnychenko said. Myroshnychenko also urged Djokovic, who is set to face Tommy Paul in the tournament’s semi-finals, to personally apologize and clarify his position on the Russian invasion.

“It’s critical that Novak address this situation,” he said.

“He should apologize for what occurred and condemn 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 bearing Vladimir Putin’s face.

“Novak Djokovic’s father makes bold political statement,” the video caption read.

Serbian tennis reporters confirmed it was Djokovic’s father, and according to the Melbourne Age, he said in Serbian, “Long live Russia.”

Another man wearing a pro-war “Z” T-shirt was photographed by AFP inside the stadium during Djokovic’s match.

Tennis Australia said Thursday that it would continue to work with security to enforce entry rules, but did not address the incident with Djokovic’s father.

 

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
WhatsApp
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE