Novak Djokovic has a difficult love affair with the Australian Open. On the one hand, he won this prestigious tournament nine times, which is a record for men’s singles. On the other hand, a year ago he experienced one of the most difficult moments in his career there. His visa was revoked upon arrival and he was deported due to the lack of vaccination against COVID-19. Now the famous Serb was back to the antipodes and the only worry was a thigh injury. Until Thursday, when it came to light that his father Srdjan had taken a picture outside the center court with several people from a group protesting with Russian flags and supporting Vladimir Putin.
“It was unfortunate that the misinterpretation had grown to such proportions.”
From the beginning of the tournament, journalists from different countries wanted to follow Djokovic’s training to get a look at his injured leg. Now a new motivation has come – to see if the Serb will speak out on the controversy surrounding his father. A recording of the above-mentioned protests also appeared on the web and some media reported that the man was to use a greeting referring to Russia.
– We do not know what time and where Novak Djokovic will have classes – I hear from a volunteer working in the press office as soon as I mention that I have a question about the training schedule.
As kick-off time approaches for the Serbian’s Australian Open semi-final, the titled player’s father denies that he supports the war effort, but – to avoid confusion – he will not be in the stands this evening.
Novak Djokovic easily advanced to the final in the evening. As you can easily guess, the first question the journalists asked him at the press conference was about the situation with his father. The Serb was well prepared for this – he answered long and calmly. He gave his version of events.
“It was unfortunate that the misinterpretation had grown to such proportions. I had no idea until last night. And, of course, I wasn’t happy to see it. My father, my whole family and I went through several wars in the 1990s. As my father pointed out in his statement, we are against war. We will never support violence or war. We know how cruel war is for families, for people in a given country.
He also repeated his father’s statement that after his matches in Melbourne he traditionally goes to the main square in front of the central court to meet the fans.
– To thank them for supporting us, show them respect and take pictures. As for this photo, he was passing by. I heard what he said in that video. He said, “Greetings.” Unfortunately, some media misinterpreted it. I’m sorry it’s grown to this size. But I hope people will understand that there was absolutely no intention to support any war initiative or anything else.
Djokovic wants to focus on tennis. “It could have happened to many people”
He added that there were many Serbian flags nearby and his father thought he was taking a photo with his countrymen in passing.
– That’s all. Of course, it’s not nice that I have to go through all this, considering what I had to deal with last year and now in Australia. It’s not something I want or need. I hope people will let it go and we can focus on tennis.
One journalist asked that the tennis player’s father was expected to be present on the court during Sunday’s final. It turns out that it is not yet decided.
– We’ll see. It wasn’t nice not having him in the box. We made this decision together. We didn’t know how things would turn out. I hope he will be with me on Sunday. That he will feel good on the courts because I would like to have him here during the final – emphasized the famous player.
The audience also asked if Djokovic had warned his father that he had to be careful that his actions were not perceived as support for Russia and the war in Ukraine. The tennis player said that such a statement of the case suggests that his father acted on purpose.
“As if he wasn’t careful about what he did.” These things happen. This could have happened to many people. He was used in this situation by that group of people. I can’t be angry with him and upset because it wasn’t his fault. He came out to celebrate with the fans. That’s all, argued the Serb.
And he added that after the fact his father was very upset about the whole situation because of his son. He knew how it would affect me. This media pressure and everything else that’s happened in the last 24, 48 hours. But it happened. You have to accept it and move on,” said the Australian Open finalist.
Serbian fans are particularly supportive of Djokovic this year. Friday warm-up before the final
In fact, it is already a tradition that after his matches on the aforementioned square in the center of the Melbourne Park complex, a great feast begins. The Serbian community in Australia always flocks to the courts on this occasion. And as we hear from Tanja, who has been living in the antipodes for 20 years, this year they have additional motivation.
– Now there are even more people here than usual. It’s all because of what happened to Novak a year ago. We want to support him – a woman in her thirties explained to Sport.pl.
She also has a firm opinion regarding the confusion that has arisen around Wednesday’s incident. Even before the photo of Djokovic’s father came to light, it was loud that Russian fans brought flags to the courts, contrary to the rules. Then, together with a group of Serbian fans, they chanted together in the middle of the square.
– I think that’s an exaggeration. Russians should be able to bring flags, Tanja told us.
Another woman of Serbian origin, who came to support Djokovic on Friday, has a slightly different view on the matter. She, in her mid-40s, has lived in Australia since she was born and shows a closer attachment to the rules to the citizens of this country.
“I’m not judging whether this decision is good or bad. But rules are rules. They are there to be followed, she said.
When we talked to both women, the Serbian feta was still going on in the square. This time without Russian accents and controversies. There were dancing, singing, chanting “Nole, Nole”. A large group was surrounded by the tournament security staff. A few of its representatives – clearly tense – all the time made sure that people watching this feta did not stop on the nearby stairs and kept their distance from the singing and dancing Balkan group.
When we try to ask one of the security guards about the situation, he quickly cuts off that he is not allowed to talk to the media. Some Djokovic fans don’t want to talk either. Seeing the press accreditation, they politely declined. A policewoman standing nearby was more open, watching the partying group calmly.
– I was not afraid of a repeat of Wednesday. We are here to ensure security. We do not deal with flags banned by the organizers. Serbs always celebrate like this here. There are a lot of them today, but I’m sure there will be even more on Sunday at the final. It’s going to be crazy,” he warns with a smile.
Source: Sport.PL
Tristin is an accomplished author and journalist, known for his in-depth and engaging writing on sports. He currently works as a writer at 247 News Agency, where he has established himself as a respected voice in the sports industry.
