Controversy at the Australian Open: Djokovic’s father posed with Russian and Putin flags

the father of the Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic posed in the australian open along with fans with pro-Russian symbols, such as a flag of that country with the face of Vladimir Putin, according to a video published in local media.

The scene was presumably recorded after the quarterfinal match between his son and the Russian andrei rublevduring which pro-Moscow symbology was seen in the stands despite the tournament organizers having banned it.

In the video posted on Youtube and picked up by various Australian media, it is seen Srdjan Djokovic posing next to a man with a Russian flag with the face of putin and a black T-shirt with the letter “Z”, which has become a symbol of support for the invasion of Ukraine.

According to local newspapers Age Y The Sydney Morning Heraldthe father of the tennis player says in Serbian “long live russia“.

“The players and their teams have been informed and recorded of the event’s policy in relation to flags and symbols and to avoid any situation that has the potential to disrupt,” the federation said. tennis australia in a statement on Thursday.

The Australian Open last week banned this symbology in its facilities after the appearance of Russian flags during a first round match between the Ukrainian kateryna baindl and the Russian Kamilla Rakhimova.