Australian Open 2023: Novak Djokovic is just two matches away from winning the Australian Open crown for a record-extending 10th time. The 21-time Grand Slam champion has been in cracking form so far and next faces USA’s Tommy Paul in the semi-final on Friday. But ahead of the semi-final encounter, Djokovic finds himself in HUGE controversy thanks to his father Srdjan Djokovic.
His father Srdjan has been captured posing with flag-bearing supporters of Russia, Vladimir Putin at AO 2023. Fans with Russian flags were reportedly detained later. Follow Australian Open 2023 LIVE Updates with InsideSport.IN
Australian Open 2023: Novak Djokovic in HUGE controversy, WATCH as his father seen posing with flag bearing supporters of Russia, Vladimir Putin at AO 2023, Fans with Russian flag detained later, CHECK out
Australian Open 2023: Novak Djokovic’s father in a huge controversy
According to a Guardian report before the four Putin supporters were evicted from Melbourne Park, Srdjan Djokovic took photos with some spectators wearing a “Z” symbol shirt while showing the Russian flag with Putin’s face on it.
As per the report, Simeon Boikov, who runs the Aussie Cossack YouTube channel, called on pro-Putin supporters to attend the event in order to “strike back” at Tennis Australia ahead of Djokovic’s match against Rublev.
The move comes after Tennis Australia had banned Russian flags at the Australian Open following an incident during the first-round match between Ukraine’s Kateryna Baindl and Russian Kamilla Rakhimova.
This is…quite a mess for the #AusOpen, to say the least.
Srdjan Djokovic posing with the pro-Putin rally last night just outside Rod Laver Arena.
The levels of security breakdowns that allowed for this are staggering.
Story/video via @jamesgraysport:https://t.co/L4gtaKKNP6 pic.twitter.com/qnOx3MGYqB
— Ben Rothenberg (@BenRothenberg) January 26, 2023
Boikov said, “Today Djokovic plays Andrey Rublev. I hereby appeal or instruct everyone to get down there. I can confirm that we’ve got some surprises. Tennis Australia, brace yourselves … for fans, for people who love tennis, if you know what I mean. I’ve got to word it that way or they’ll get me for incitement. We’ve got a lot of serious fans in Melbourne heading down”.
Australian Open 2023: Novak Djokovic in HUGE controversy, WATCH as his father seen posing with flag bearing supporters of Russia, Vladimir Putin at AO 2023, Fans with Russian flag detained later, CHECK out
He further added, “This is about honour and dignity now. This is an attack on honour and dignity. This has got nothing to do with the war. This is an attack on freedom in Australia. This is discrimination. This is racism. It’s illegal to ban people’s flags.”
“The Russian empire has had its flag banned. Well, guess what, Tennis Australia? Good luck when the empire strikes back.”
Currently, Boikov is seeking refuge in the Russian consulate. He has been accused of assaulting a man in a Sydney rally.
Australian Open 2023: Novak Djokovic talks about success in tournament
Novak Djokovic is currently racing towards capturing his 10th Australian Open title. Despite the news about hamstring trouble, Djokovic has steamrolled his opponent untill the semi-final so far.
Speaking about the current form at Melbourne Park, Djokovic said, “I always try to give my best, particularly in Grand Slams, because at this stage of my career those are the tournaments that count the most, of course”.
“But you could say that there is something extra this year, yeah. You could say because of the injury, what happened last year. I just wanted to really do well. “So far I have a perfect score on Australian hard courts, in Adelaide and here. I’ve been playing better and better and I couldn’t ask for a better situation to be in at the moment.”
Australian Open 2023: Novak Djokovic in HUGE controversy, WATCH as his father seen posing with flag bearing supporters of Russia, Vladimir Putin at AO 2023, Fans with Russian flag detained later, CHECK out
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