Novak Djokovic’s father Sredjan Djokovic was insulted during the Australian Open. The Serbian’s father, Vladimir Putin, posed with fans.
Four men were escorted out of Melbourne Park by Victoria Police on Wednesday night after waving Russian flags and singing pro-Russian and pro-Vladimir Putin songs on the steps of the Rod Laver Arena. One of them also wore a shirt with the letter Z, the symbol of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. It also featured Putin’s face on a flag.
Rod Laver can be seen in the video meeting fans outside the arena and taking photos with them. Police confirmed the incident: “On Wednesday, January 25 at 10:20 p.m., police removed four people after a Russian flag was hoisted on the steps of the tennis court,” according to a statement.
Social media reacted with horror to the photos. Ukraine’s ambassador to Australia, Vasyl Myroshnychenko, said it was a shame. “This is the full set: apart from the Serbian flag, there is the Russian flag, the Putin flag and the Z symbol,” he wrote on Twitter.
Ukrainian tennis players Alex Tolkopolov and Marta Kostyuk also heard themselves. “This man will be suspended for life. At least for all Australian tennis matches?” Tolkopolov wrote about the man seen with the Z symbol.
Vasyl Myroshnychenko
@AmbVasyl
Report
The Australian Open organization issued a statement warning players: ,, On Wednesday evening a small group displayed inappropriate flags and symbols and threatened guards after the match on Wednesday evening. They have been removed. Players and their teams were briefed and reminded again of the event policy regarding flags and symbols to avoid any potentially disruptive situations. We will continue to work closely with event security and enforcement authorities.
The Russians were already there during the Australian Open See flags During the first round match between Kateryna Bindal of Ukraine and Kamila Rakhimova of Russia. In response, the Australian Open intervened and banned Russian and Belarusian flags from Melbourne Park.
Russian athletes faced sanctions after the invasion of Ukraine. For example, Russian tennis players were banned from last year’s Wimbledon. They are welcome at the Australian Open, but under a neutral flag.
Alex Tolkopolov
@TheDolgo
The Australian Open runs until Sunday. Djokovic will face American Tommy Paul in the last four on Friday.
Marta Kostyuk
@marta_kostyuk
Australian Open Circuit
Check it out below Full schedule and all results of Australian Open In men and women.
Australian Open: Schedule and Results Men’s
Australian Open: Schedule and Results Women
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